Effects of Physical Exercise on Adiponectin, Leptin, and Inflammatory Markers in Childhood Obesity: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background: New findings on adipose tissue physiology and obesity-associated inflammation status suggest that modification of the adipokine level can be relevant for the long-term prevention of obesity-associated chronic disease.Objectives: The scope of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of physical exercise in reducing the systemic inflammation related to obesity in children.Methods: We conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis of controlled randomized trials, identified through electronic database search, which investigated the effect of physical exercise, without concomitant dietary intervention, on adiponectin, leptin, and/or other inflammatory markers in children up to age 18 years with a body mass index greater than the 95th percentile for age and sex.Results: Seven trials were included in the meta-analysis, with a total of 250 participants. Compared with the control group without any lifestyle modification, the physical exercise resulted in a reduction in leptin [standardized mean difference (SMD) −1.13; 95% confidence interval (95%CI): −1.89 to −0.37; I2 = 79.9%] and interleukin-6 (SMD −0.84; 95%CI: −1.45 to −0.23, I2 = 0.9%) and an increase in adiponectin plasma concentration (SMD 0.69; 95%CI: 0.02–1.35; I2 = 74.3%).Conclusions: These results indicate that physical exercise improved the inflammatory state in children with obesity. It is unclear whether this effect can reduce the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disease in adulthood. Clinical trials with a uniform intervention protocol and outcome measurements are required to put our knowledge on adipose tissue biology into a clinical perspective.

A Multidisciplinary Intervention in Childhood Obesity Acutely Improves Insulin Resistance and Inflammatory Markers Independent From Body Composition

“…Obesity is associated with lowered adiponectin, and increasing as well as decreasing levels of adiponectin have been found in pediatric intervention studies (68). Physical exercise alone was found sufficient to reduce leptin and raise adiponectin levels (68). Thus, the observed effects on adipokines in our study are in line with reports from other programs and indicate an effect of the intervention on the adipose tissue and associated metaflammation.…”

“…The metabolic change of adipokine expression in fat tissue induced by the intervention might play a significant role in the decline of IR. Obesity is associated with lowered adiponectin, and increasing as well as decreasing levels of adiponectin have been found in pediatric intervention studies (68). Physical exercise alone was found sufficient to reduce leptin and raise adiponectin levels (68).…”

Use and attitudes toward dietary supplements and drugs amongst Italian elite athletes and its correlation with banned doping substances

“…Their use among athletes is very popular: most studies reported that over half of the athletes use supplements and food supplement use was more common among university students (in particular, those in health professional graduate courses) than high school students. Other studies reported even that 88% of the athletes use one or more nutritional supplements (Biffi et al, 2018;Sirico et al, 2018 a). A large range of different types and brands of products for nutritional supplementation (are present in the form of pills, tablets, capsules and liquids) is now really widespread and accepted by athletes (Mazzeo et al, 2013).…”

DIETARY INTAKES AND HIGH SENSITIVITY CRP (hsCRP) IN ADOLESCENTS WITH OBESITY

“…Excess weight has an inflammatory effect (García-Hermoso et al, 2016). However, exercise can reduce the systemic inflammation associated with obesity (Sirico et al, 2018). The complications of obesity are due to metabolic disorder induced by an excessive accumulation of fat, which leads to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (Morandi and Maffeis, 2014).…”