Aerobic training suppresses exercise-induced lipid peroxidation and inflammation in overweight/obese adolescent girls.

This study aimed to determine whether aerobic training could reduce lipid peroxidation and inflammation at rest and after maximal exhaustive exercise in overweight/obese adolescent girls. Thirty-nine adolescent girls (14-19 years old) were classified as nonobese or overweight/obese and then randomly assigned to either the nontrained or trained group (12-week multivariate aerobic training program). Measurements at the beginning of the experiment and at 3 months consisted of body composition, aerobic fitness (VO2peak) and the following blood assays: pre- and postexercise lipid peroxidation (15F2a-isoprostanes [F2-Isop], lipid hydroperoxide [ROOH], oxidized LDL [ox-LDL]) and inflammation (myeloperoxidase [MPO]) markers. In the overweight/ obese group, the training program significantly increased their fat-free mass (FFM) and decreased their percentage of fat mass (%FM) and hip circumference but did not modify their VO2peak. Conversely, in the nontrained overweight/obese group, weight and %FM increased, and VO2peak decreased, during the same period. Training also prevented exercise-induced lipid peroxidation and/or inflammation in overweight/obese girls (F2-Isop, ROOH, ox-LDL, MPO). In addition, in the trained overweight/obese group, exercise-induced changes in ROOH, ox-LDL and F2-Isop were correlated with improvements in anthropometric parameters (waist-to-hip ratio, %FM and FFM). In conclusion aerobic training increased tolerance to exercise-induced oxidative stress in overweight/obese adolescent girls partly as a result of improved body composition.

Body mass index and body fat in Lebanese female adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the relation between body mass index (BMI) and body fat (BF) among Lebanese female adolescents. METHODS: 51 Lebanese females aged 12 to 18 years participated in this study. BMI was calculated as weight/height. Adiposity was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). RESULTS: Correlation coefficient of percent body fat (%BF) with BMI is 0.82. Correlation coefficient of fat mass (BF) with BMI is 0.93. The two linear regression formulas are: %BF = 6.89 + (1.1 *BMI) and BF = - 0.425 + (129 *BMI). CONCLUSION: Correlations of BMI with DEXA measurements were higher with BF than %BF. For a given BMI, Lebanese girls have a higher than expected %BF. Based on the current findings, there may be a need to develop new cutoff points. From a public health perspective, this may considerably increase the prevalence of obesity among Lebanese female adolescents.

Activity, inactivity and quality of life among Lebanese adolescents.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to investigate recent overweight and obesity prevalence rates for Lebanese adolescents, and to examine differences in physical activity, screen time (sum of time spent in front of TV, computer, and videogames), and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) for the first time among normal, overweight, and obese adolescents. METHODS: One thousand Lebanese adolescents (14-18 years old) from nine schools participated in the study. Height, weight, physical activity, screen time, and HRQOL variables were assessed using validated self-report questionnaires. RESULTS: A total of 7.8% of boys and 1.75% of girls were obese, and 22.5% of boys and 12.47% of girls were overweight. Normal-weight boys reported higher physical activity scores at health clubs than obese boys. Normal-weight girls reported higher leisure time and total physical activity scores than obese girls. In the normal-weight group, boys reported higher total screen time than girls. Normal-weight boys reported higher physical functioning scores than their obese peers. Normal-weight girls reported higher physical functioning and average HRQOL scores than obese girls. Normal-weight and overweight boys reported higher average HRQOL scores than girls. CONCLUSION: The present study is the first to provide data on physical activity, screen time, and HRQOL among Lebanese adolescents. Despite the need for further research, all those concerned with the pediatric population are urged to develop and implement effective strategies to increase physical activity and improve HRQOL among adolescents based on the present findings.