The Effects of Exclusive Walking on Lipids and Lipoproteins in Women with Overweight and Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effects of walking, independent of diet and weight-loss, on lipids and lipoproteins in women with overweight and obesity. Data Source Academic Search Complete, Alternative Health Watch, Global Health, Health Source, CINAHL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, SportDiscus, and ProQuest. Study Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria (1) experiment-control design; (2) women with overweight or obesity; (3) walking as the experiment’s independent variable; (4) four or more weeks; and (5) pre- to post-assessment of lipids and/or lipoproteins. Excluded studies reported use of lipid-lowering medication, diet or other modes of physical activity, and alternative interventions as the control. Data Extraction Data extraction and study quality were completed by the first 2 authors using the Cochrane review protocol and risk of bias assessment. Data Synthesis Raw mean difference between the experiment and control groups using a random effects model. Results Meta-analyses of 21 interventions (N = 1129) demonstrated exclusive walking improves total cholesterol (raw mean difference = 6.67 mg/dL, P = .04) and low-density lipoproteins (raw mean difference = 7.38 mg/dL, P = .04). Greater improvement in total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoproteins, and low-density lipoproteins existed in women with obesity. Conclusions Exclusive walking aids in normalizing total cholesterol and LDLs in women with overweight and obesity. Exclusive walking can be used as a non-pharmacologic therapy, which may have positive clinical outcomes for individuals who especially struggle with diet and weight-reduction.

Does regular walking improve lipid levels in adults?

“…However, the small magnitude of the changes may have little clinical impact. 1 There were no significant changes in the walking groups compared to the control groups for triglycerides (17 studies; RMD = 2.2 mg/dL; 95% CI, -8.4 to 12.8; P = .68) or high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (18 studies; RMD = 1.5 mg/dL; 95% CI, -0.4 to 3.3; P = .12). Included studies were required to be controlled but were otherwise not described.…”

“…Median TC was 206 mg/dL and median LDL was 126 mg/dL. 1 The primary outcome found that walking decreased TC and LDL levels independent of diet and weight loss. Twenty studies reported on TC and showed that walking significantly decreased TC levels compared to the control groups (raw mean difference [RMD] = 6.7 mg/dL; 95% CI, 0.4-12.9; P = .04).…”

“…The overall risk for bias was determined to be low. 1 A 2020 RCT (n = 22) assessed the effects of a walking intervention on cholesterol and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in individuals ages 40 to 65 years with moderate CVD risk but without diabetes or CVD. 2 Moderate CVD risk was defined as a 2% to 5% 10-year risk for a CVD event using the European HeartScore, which incorporates age, sex, blood pressure, lipid levels, and smoking status 3 ; however, study participants were not required to have hyperlipidemia.…”