Mansoureh Karimi, Fatemeh Sharafifard, Fatemeh Kazeminasab,
Volume 25, Issue 6 (1-2026)
Abstract
Background: Metabolic syndrome in obese children and adolescents raises the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Research suggests that exercise training may improve cardiometabolic health in this population. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the impact of exercise on these risk factors in children and adolescents with metabolic syndrome., and behavioral outcomes in children and promoting awareness, self-care skills, and quality of life in families.
Methods: A systematic search of English and Persian articles was conducted from PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases without time limits until May 2024. In data analysis, a random-effects model was used to calculate the weighted mean difference (WMD), standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Also, heterogeneity of studies was assessed with the I² test.
Results: The results of 6 studies involving 1,761 participants demonstrated that exercise training led to significant reductions in body weight [WMD = −6.32 kg, P=0.001], waist circumference [WMD = −9.11 cm, P=0.001], LDL [WMD = −0.52 mmol/L, P=0.001], TC [WMD = −0.65 mmol/L, P=0.001], serum TG [WMD = -0.56 mmol/L, P=0.001)], fasting glucose [WMD = −0.19 mmol/L, P=0.03], fasting insulin [SMD = −1.01, P=0.001], and HOMA-IR [WMD = −1.60, P=0.001] compared to the control group in obese children and adolescents with metabolic syndrome.
Conclusion: Exercise interventions significantly reduce body weight, waist circumference, and blood pressure, while improving lipid profiles, including serum LDL, TC, and TG levels, in obese children and adolescents with metabolic syndrome. However, these interventions exhibited no significant impact on serum HDL concentrations. Consequently, to reduce cardiovascular risk factors and improve metabolic conditions, it is essential to implement long-term exercise interventions.
