Effect of exercise dosages on adiposity indices in overweight girls.

OBJECTIVE The primary purpose of this study was to determine the impact of two exercise dosages on reducing adiposity in minority girls. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty-two overweight Hispanic and African-American girls participated in one of two intense summer interventions in Houston, TX: Intervention A (exposure to about 40 hours physical activities) or Intervention B (exposure to 60 hours of physical activities). Adiposity indices (percent body fat, waist circumference, body mass index) were taken pre- and post-intervention. RESULTS Intervention B had a significantly greater decrease in adiposity indicators (p= 0.006) when compared to Intervention A. Waist circumference displayed the most significant decrease (p = 0.001). Both interventions significantly increased daily minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (p= 0.020). CONCLUSIONS Intense physical activity interventions may effectively reduce abdominal fat in minority girls.