Comparison of excess post-exercise oxygen consumption of different exercises in normal weight obesity women

Crossover point and maximal fat oxidation training effects on blood lipid metabolism in young overweight women: a pilot study

Purpose: To determine the effects of weight reduction schemes using the exercise intensities corresponding to maximal fat oxidation (FATmax) and crossover point (COP). The effects of different intervention protocols on blood lipid metabolism were compared to explore how fat can be consumed and used more efficiently and provide a theoretical basis for weight loss through exercise. Methods: This study included 30 young overweight women randomly divided into the COP, FATmax, and control groups. Participants in the COP and FATmax groups exercised for 45 min four times a week for 8 weeks after the individual treadmill exercise test. The control group did not perform any exercise. Results: After 8 weeks of training, participants in the COP group significantly decreased weight (2.6 ± 3.3 kg), body mass index (0.91 ± 1.26 kg/m²), body fat percentage (1.21% ± 1.50%), and fat mass (1.90 ± 2.30 kg) (p < 0.05). They also had significantly decreased hip circumference (4.8 ± 3.3 cm), serum apolipoprotein B (ApoB) levels (15.48 ± 14.19 mg/dL), and ApoB/apolipoprotein AI (ApoAI) ratios (0.47 ± 0.37) (p < 0.01). However, their serum ApoAI levels were significantly increased (14.18 ± 10.24 mg/dL; p < 0.01). Participants in the FATmax group had significantly decreased hip circumference (2.4 ± 2.0 cm), serum ApoB levels (14.49 ± 11.00 mg/dL), and ApoB/ApoAI ratios (0.59 ± 0.30) (p < 0.01) but significantly increased serum ApoAI levels (29.53 ± 13.29 mg/dL; p < 0.01). No significant changes in physiological indexes were observed in participants in the control group. Conclusion: Personalised exercise intervention positively affected central obesity, effectively improving blood lipid metabolism and fat oxidation, reducing cardiovascular disease risk in young overweight women. COP training improved weight and body composition better than the FATmax exercise, while the latter provided greater improvements in serum ApoAI levels.

Normal weight obesity and unaddressed cardiometabolic health risk-a narrative review

Normal weight obesity (NWO) is defined as having a normal body mass index (BMI), but a high body fat mass. There is growing interest in individuals with NWO, which is an underdiagnosed and understudied group, because of their increased risk for cardiometabolic morbidity and mortality. In this review, we summarized the definition, prevalence, etiology, pathophysiology, and cardiovascular outcomes seen in NWO. We have also summarized the available literature on interventions for NWO. There is a wide variation in the body fat percent cutoffs used to diagnose excess body fat. Hence, the prevalence rates of NWO vary between different populations and studies. It is estimated that about 30 million Americans have NWO and the worldwide prevalence ranges from 4.5% to 22%. Genetics, diet, and physical activity are related to NWO. However, etiological factors are not clear. Changes in body composition, inflammation, oxidative stress are present in NWO in comparison to normal weight lean (NWL) who have a normal BMI and normal body fat amount. Furthermore, cardiometabolic changes are observed and some are subclinical. Thus, screening for NWO will enhance the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Due to the use of various body fat percent cutoffs and methods to measure body fat, it is challenging to compare between studies. Researchers working in this field should ideally work towards developing standard body fat percent cutoffs for diagnosing NWO. There are many gaps in the literature on NWO unlike for overt obesity and future studies should explore the etiology, molecular mechanisms, and adipose tissue changes of NWO as well as conduct well planned and executed randomized controlled trials testing dietary, physical, and behavioral interventions for NWO in both males and females of different racial and age groups.