W Hens1, D Vissers1, D Hansen2,3,4, S Peeters5, J Gielen6, L Van Gaal7, J Taeymans8,9. 1. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium. 2. Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium. 3. REVAL-Rehabilitation Research Centre, Diepenbeek, Belgium. 4. Heart Centre Hasselt, Jessa Hospital, Hasselt, Belgium. 5. Flemish Working Group from AXXON, Antwerp, Belgium. 6. Department of Radiology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium. 7. Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium. 8. Health, Bern University of Applied Sciences-Health, Bern, Switzerland. 9. Faculty of Sport and Rehabilitation Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Ectopic fat depostion in youth with obesity is associated with an increased cardiovascular disease risk. The aim of this meta-analysis was to summarize the evidence for the use of diet and/or exercise on ectopic adiposity in this population. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis statement. Clinical trials that assessed ectopic fat deposition and included study arms with diet and/or exercise were searched in PubMed, PEDro and the Cochrane database. RESULTS: Hepatic fat content and intramyocellular lipid content were described in nine studies and three studies, respectively. Most studies included teenagers, and study duration ranged between 3 and 12 months without follow-up. Using random-effects weights, the standardized mean difference of the change in hepatic adiposity (totalling 320 subjects) was -0.54 Hedges' g (95% confidence interval: -0.69 to -0.38 with p < 0.0001). By re-expressing this effect size, it is seen that diet and/or exercise results in an absolute reduction of intrahepatic lipid with 2%, which accords with a relative reduction up to 70%. Although there were significant ameliorations of insulin sensitivity, no significant changes in intramyocellular lipid were observed. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis showed that diet and/or exercise is effective to reduce hepatic adiposity in youth with obesity.
OBJECTIVE: Ectopic fat depostion in youth with obesity is associated with an increased cardiovascular disease risk. The aim of this meta-analysis was to summarize the evidence for the use of diet and/or exercise on ectopic adiposity in this population. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis statement. Clinical trials that assessed ectopic fat deposition and included study arms with diet and/or exercise were searched in PubMed, PEDro and the Cochrane database. RESULTS: Hepatic fat content and intramyocellular lipid content were described in nine studies and three studies, respectively. Most studies included teenagers, and study duration ranged between 3 and 12 months without follow-up. Using random-effects weights, the standardized mean difference of the change in hepatic adiposity (totalling 320 subjects) was -0.54 Hedges' g (95% confidence interval: -0.69 to -0.38 with p < 0.0001). By re-expressing this effect size, it is seen that diet and/or exercise results in an absolute reduction of intrahepatic lipid with 2%, which accords with a relative reduction up to 70%. Although there were significant ameliorations of insulin sensitivity, no significant changes in intramyocellular lipid were observed. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis showed that diet and/or exercise is effective to reduce hepatic adiposity in youth with obesity.