The effect of a multidisciplinary physical activity intervention on the body composition and physical fitness of obese children.

AIM The aim was to determine the effect of a physical activity, diet, and behaviour modification intervention of 13 weeks, 3x per week for 60 minutes on the body composition and physical fitness of overweight and obese children. METHODS A convenience sample of 37 subjects with a mean age of 11 years (±0.99) was used, where 20 subjects (13 girls; seven boys) took part in the intervention and 17 (11 girls; six boys) formed part of the control group. Body composition (height, body mass, skinfolds, circumferences, body fat percentage, and body mass index) and health-promoting physical fitness (cardiorespiratory endurance, flexibility, muscular strength, and muscular endurance) were analysed using the Fitnessgram and the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-II during baseline, after the intervention programme, and after a follow-up period of three months. RESULTS The results showed statistical (P<0.05) and practical significant (d>0.2) improvement in the body composition of the group, after participation in the intervention, with a sustainable effect, three months later on body fat percentage and the subscapular skinfold. Muscular strength and flexibility improved significantly after the intervention, but with no sustainable effect. CONCLUSION It is concluded that a multi-disciplinary obesity intervention can improve the body composition profile and the health-related physical fitness of young obese children, although the effect will not be sustainable without ongoing, controlled intervention.