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Review
. 2012 Apr;31(2):156-67.
doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2011.11.011. Epub 2011 Dec 10.

Comparison of aerobic exercise, diet or both on lipids and lipoproteins in adults: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

George A Kelley  1 , Kristi S Kelley, Susan Roberts, William Haskell
Affiliations
Review

Comparison of aerobic exercise, diet or both on lipids and lipoproteins in adults: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

George A Kelley et al. Clin Nutr. 2012 Apr.

Abstract

Objective: Given that previous studies have reached conflicting conclusions regarding the effects of diet (D), aerobic exercise (E) or both (DE) on blood lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in adults, the meta-analytic approach was used to address this issue.

Data sources: Nine electronic databases, cross-referencing, and expert review.

Study selection: Randomized controlled trials ≥ 4 weeks that included a D, E, DE and control (C) group in adults ≥ 18 years of age and in which data for one or more of the following were available: total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG).

Data extraction: Dual data extraction by the first two authors.

Statistical analysis: Random-effects models as well as mixed-effects models for between-group differences.

Results: Seven-hundred and eighty-eight men and women from 6 studies were included. Non-overlapping 95% confidence intervals were observed for D and DE with respect to lowering TC, LDL-C and TG while reductions in E were limited to TG. No significant changes in HDL-C were observed. When compared to E, reductions in TC and LDL-C were greater for D and DE (p < 0.05 for all).

Conclusions: Diet, especially DE, are superior to E for improving selected lipids and lipoproteins in adults.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow diagram for the selection of studies.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Risk of bias assessment.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Forest plot for changes in TC (mg/dl).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Forest plot for changes in HDL-C.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Forest plot for changes in LDL-C (mg/dl).
Figure 6
Figure 6
Forest plot for changes in TG (mg/dl).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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