Research Article
The Impact of Exercise Consultation on Activity Levels and Metabolic Markers in Obese Adolescents: A Pilot Study
1 Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada, H3T 1A2
2 Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, CHU Ste-Justine and Université de Montréal, 3175 Côte Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, QC, Canada, H3T 1C5
3 Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5G 1X8
4 Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada, H4B 1R6
5 Department of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5T 3M6
6 Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5G 2C4
7 Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5S 3E2
International Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology 2010, 2010:681510 doi:10.1155/2010/681510
Published: 5 September 2010Abstract
Objective. To assess the impact of exercise consultation on physical activity (PA) levels,
anthropometric measures, and metabolic markers in obese adolescents. Methods. Obese adolescents (14–18 years) were randomized to either an exercise consultation
(intervention group) or to review "Canada's Physical Activity Guide for Youth" (control group). Outcomes, including accelerometry, anthropometrics, blood pressure,
stage of exercise behavior change, fasting glucose, insulin, and lipids, were measured
at baseline and 3 months later. Results. Thirty adolescents (mean 
; 
) completed the study. At follow-up, the intervention group had significantly greater
PA compared with controls (
). Similarly, the intervention group weighed an average 2.6 kg less than the control
group (
), with a mean BMI z-score of 2.15 compared to 2.21 for controls (
). No other differences were noted. Conclusion. Exercise consultation may be a simple approach to increase PA levels, reduce weight,
and lower BMI in obese adolescents.
