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(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- High blood pressure puts obese kids at risk for a future of heart disease, but a structured, fun-based exercise program may reverse the problem.
A new study shows for the first time that regular, reasonable physical activity can significantly reduce systolic blood pressure and decrease arterial stiffness in obese kids after three months. These changes were independent of body weight or fat loss and more pronounced in children with high blood pressure. Experts say this suggests a direct effect of exercise on the blood pressure of obese children.
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The regimen consisted of a supervised after-school program that included activities made enjoyable, like swimming and ball games. Each session lasted 60 minutes and included 30 minutes of aerobic exercise followed by 20 minutes of strength training, as well as 10 minutes of stretching and cool down. Participants in the program were compared to children who remained relatively inactive, and 22 lean children. After three months, participants trained twice per week for another three months.
Researchers found reductions in blood pressure among the active obese children ranged from -7 to -12 mmHg for systolic blood pressure and -2 to -7 mmHg for diastolic blood pressure. In addition, the proportion of children with hypertension dropped from 50 to 37 percent at 3 months and to 29 percent at 6 months.
Children involved in the trial were 6 to 11 years old and had a body mass index over the 97th age- and sex-specific percentile.
Source: Journal of the American College of Cardiology, December 2009
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