[Obese children lipid profile: effects of hypocaloric diet and aerobic physical exercise]

Abstract

Diet and exercise help improve obese adults' lipid profile. However, their effect on obese children, the aim of the present study, is poorly known. Fifty obese children were studied into 2 paired groups: Group D (1,500 - 1,800 kcal diet: 55% carbohydrate, 30% fat, 15% protein), and Group DE (same diet + aerobic physical activity 1 hour/day 3 times a week). After 5 months BMI, triglycerides, total cholesterol (TC) and fractions were assessed. No change in triglycerides, TC and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were reported in both groups. However, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) increased (+10.3%; p< 0.01) only in DE Group. Screening patients with TC > 170 mg/dL, LDL-C > 110 mg/dL and HDL-C < 35 mg/dL we had: similar reduction for TC in both groups (-6.0% x -6.0%; p= ns), LDL-C reduction in both groups (-14.2% x -13.5%; p= ns), and HDL-C increase only in DE Group (+10.0%; p< 0.05).

Conclusions: 1) Hypocaloric diet (HD) + exercise, rather than diet only, increase obese children's HDL-C levels irrespective of baseline levels; 2) HD only and HD + exercise lead to TC and LDL-C reduction in obese children with TC and LDL-C above normal values.