Effects of a multicomponent school-based intervention on health markers, body composition, physical fitness, and psychological measures in overweight and obese adolescent females.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether participation in a multicomponent school-based intervention using circuit-resistance training, dietary intervention and behavioral modification had an effect on health markers, body composition, physical fitness, and psychological measures for overweight/obese adolescent females. Forty-two overweight/obese adolescents participated in the 10-week program with assessments completed at 0, 10, and 22 weeks. Data were analyzed by ANOVA repeated measures analysis, with a level of significance set at p < 0.05, and presented as means ± SD from baseline. Statistically significant group x time interactions were observed for the following: body mass (CON 2.82% ± 2.7 vs. EXP 0.58% ± 2.5, p = 0.021) fat mass (CON 3.64% ± 5.9 vs. EXP -2.66% ± 5.7, p = 0.006), percent fat (CON 0.52% ± 4.69 vs. EXP -2.92% ± 4.44, p = 0.024), triglycerides (CON 44.78% ± 85.11 vs. EXP -9.56% ± 34.99, p = 0.002), HOMA-IR (CON 49.41% ± 69.65 vs. EXP 17.64% ± 66.76, p = 0.052), physical activity environmental factors (CON -6.92% ± 18.66 vs. EXP 9.96% ± 27.79, p = 0.039), fruit and vegetable con decisions (CON 31.71% ± 49.75 vs. EXP 3.41% ± 47.22, p = 0.043), and dietary protein intake (CON -3.28% ± 53.05 vs. EXP 8.15% ± 58.68, p = 0.025). Time significance represented an overall mean increase in body mass (1.6 % ± 3), lean mass (2.7% ± 4), bone mineral content (3.6% ± 5) and bone mineral density (3.4% ± 3). Follow-up testing was conducted with a subset of participants (n = 29), after three months. The participants’ revealed statistically significant group x time effects for the pediatric quality of life psychosocial health summary score (CON -23% ± 40 vs. EXP 25.3% ± 65, p = 0.039) and the PACE measurements of physical activity family support (CON -0.64% ± 24.4 vs. EXP 17.8% ± 19.3, p = 0.027). This research indicated that overweight/obese adolescent females can benefit from both standard physical education and a multicomponent program. However, the participants in the multicomponent program observed significantly greater improvements in body composition, triglycerides, and insulin sensitivity.