Effects of a 12-week Combined Exercise Program on Ghrelins in Obese Adolescent Girls

Effects of a 12-week Combined Exercise Program on Acylated and Desacyl Ghrelin, and Ghrelin O Acyl Transferase in Obese Adolescent Girls

This study aimed to explore the effects of a 12-week combined exercise on ghrelin O acyl transferase, acylated ghrelin and desacylated ghrelin levels in obese girls.

Little is known about on ghrelin O acyl transferase (GOAT), acylated ghrelin (AG) and desacylated ghrelin (DAG) levels during long-term exercise in adolescent population. Our previous study showed that combined exercise program in overweight children increases DAG with unchanged AG. This study aimed to explore the effects of a 12-week combined exercise on GOAT, AG, and DAG in obese girls.

Inclusion Criteria:

• girls between 16 and 18 years
• being classified as being overweight or obese defined with the 85th percentile of body mass index or above based on the 2007 growth chart for Korean children aged 2-18 years.
• After consultation with a physician, they were required to be considered physically healthy enough to engage in regular exercise after school.

Exclusion Criteria:

• participation in any weight-management programme in the past 6 months
• engagement in other exercise programs except for regular physical education at school
• smoking
• amenorrhea for consecutive 2 months or more
• being treated for hereditary diseases, mental disorder, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or musculoskeletal impairments
• taking any medication or supplements for weight control