Abstract

The aim of this study is to demonstrate the benefit of a supervised weight loss management programme based on general dietary recommendations and interval exercise training (IET) on cardiometabolic risk factors and quality of life in young obese patients. Material and Methods: We conduct a 9 months interventional study on 28 young obese patients (mean age 21.3±3.1 years) with a mean BMI of 30.94±6.68. All patients were evaluated through a cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in order to provide optimal recommendation for exercise intensity. We also evaluate weight, body mass index, and visceral fat area ( VFA); heart rate (HR); systolic blood pressure (SBP); diastolic blood pressure (DBP); fasting blood glucose (FGL); HDL cholesterol; explosive muscular power of lower body (P) and quality of life (using SF_36 questionnaire). The patients benefit from an intensive IET program, supervised and guided by a physical therapist. IET consisted in 50 minutes sessions, 3 times per week, at intensive endurance training zone (in the range of anaerobic threshold), completed by 1 minute interval in the range between anaerobic threshold and respiratory compensation point, for every 5 minutes of training.
Results: After 9 months of intervention we acquired a significant decrease of weight, BMI, VFA, SBP, FBG, HR and an increase of HDL.
Conclusions: Nine months of exercise based weight management program can reduce cardiometabolic risk factors in obese patients, and significantly improve quality of life in young obese patients.