Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Body Composition, Fitness Levels And Quality Of Life In Overweight And Obese 8-17 Year Olds

Pilot Study of 10 Week Exercise and Nutrition Program for Children Who Are Overweight / Obese.

This project will address the important area of childhood obesity and the risk of cardiovascular disease associated with obesity. This is a serious health concern since children who are overweight or obese are prone to other medical conditions including high blood pressure, abnormal lipid profiles,and type 2 diabetes. Although exercise and nutrition programs are recommended, evidence for the efficacy of these programs in improving cardiovascular health is lacking.

Specific Aims: a) improve cardiovascular risk factors, b) increase physical fitness levels, c) improve lean body mass, d) enhance QOL of the child e) influence adherence rates to exercise and a healthy lifestyle change both during and beyond the conclusion of the program.

Hypothesis 1a: Compared to baseline and matched controls, children randomized to a 10 week multidisciplinary fitness and nutrition program will show significant improved levels of cardiovascular risk factors.

Specific Aim 2: To determine if a multidisciplinary fitness and nutrition program, when compared with a matched, WLC group will show a change in whole body assessment including a decrease in fat mass, an increase in percent lean body mass, and a decrease in percent body fat, as measured utilizing dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry Hypothesis 2a: Compared to baseline and matched controls, children randomized to a 10 week multidisciplinary fitness and nutrition program will show improved whole body assessments including.

Specific Aim 3:To determine if a multidisciplinary fitness and nutrition program, when compared with a WLC group will show improved levels of fitness. Hypothesis 3a: Compared to baseline and matched controls, children randomized to a 10 week multidisciplinary fitness and nutrition program will show significant improvements in fitness including.

Inclusion Criteria:

• : a) in the 85th percentile Body Mass Index(BMI), standardized for age and gender; b) have hypercholesterolemia as defined as total cholesterol > 170 mg/dl or LDL > 110 mg/dl; and / or c) hypertension as defined as >116/76 for 8-10 year olds, > 120/80 for 10-13 year olds, and >125/890 for 14-17 year olds.

Exclusion Criteria:

• 1) age < 8 or > 17 years; 2) the determination of significant abnormalities on an initial graded exercise test performed by a pediatric cardiologist; 3) past history of chemotherapy or whole-body radiation therapy