How Many US Children and Adolescents with Overweight and Obesity Could Improve Their Percent Body Fat by Exercising?: Meta-Analytic Based Estimates.

Abstract

Background: Provide national estimates of the number of US children and adolescents with overweight and obesity who could improve their percent body fat by exercising. Methods: Data were derived from (1) a previous meta-analysis, (2) 2015-2016 prevalence data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), and (3) 2017 US Census population data. Multiplicative calculations were based on (1) number-needed-to treat data from a previous meta-analysis of the number of children with overweight and obesity who could reduce their percent body fat by participating in either aerobic, strength, or combined aerobic and strength training, (2) 2015-2016 NHANES data on the prevalence of children and adolescents with overweight or obesity, and (3) 2017 US Census population data on children and adolescents 2-19 years of age. Results: For both children and adolescents with overweight or obesity, the number who could improve their percent body fat was estimated at 4,388,273 [95% confidence interval (CI) 3,831,523-4,845,023] for either aerobic or strength exercise and 6,507,410 (95% CI 5,744,285-7,267,534) for combined aerobic and strength exercise. Conclusions: A large number of US children and adolescents with overweight and obesity could improve their percent body fat by exercising.