Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Studies in which obese children or adolescents were provided either different types of exercise programmes or an exercise programme compared with a no-exercise control condition were included if the purpose of the intervention was weight loss. Follow up periods ranged from 15 days to 120 months. Experimental designs included randomised controlled trials (RCTs), trials in which stratified random assignment was used and studies in which the method of assignment was not specified.
Specific interventions included in the review
The following exercise programmes were included: supervised aerobic activity, extra gym classes, choice of activity, intensive activity, lifestyle exercise, calisthenics, walking, gymnastics, home aerobic activity, jogging, cycling and platform stepping. The frequency of exercise ranged from daily to five times a week. Programmes designed to reinforce activity and to reduce sedentary behaviour were included. Exercise programmes were sometimes combined with dietary manipulations. Comparison therapies included no exercise, diet only and no intervention.
Participants included in the review
Children or adolescents who were defined as obese using objective criteria were included. The ages of the participants ranged from 6 to 15 years and both sexes were included.
Outcomes assessed in the review
The main outcomes assessed were body composition and fitness measures. Body composition was assessed as % body fat, % body weight, skinfold measurement, body mass index and fitness was assessed as physical work capacity and recovery heart rates. Other outcomes measured were high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and diastolic blood pressure.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
The authors do not state how the papers were selected for the review, or how many of the authors performed the selection.