Personalized exercises intervention for obese children in a school fitness center

Objective To research an effective and practical model for establishing a personalized exercises education and intervention methods among obese and overweight children in a school fitness club setting.Methods A total of 85 obese or overweight pupils(7-9 years old),from obesity screening program of Second Allies Primary School of Shanghai,participated the study,and were divided into two groups: Intervention group(66 children) and the control group(19 children).The personalized obesity education and exercises intervention was 18 months.Results 25.8% Obesity rate reduction and 1.5% overweight rate reduction were observed in intervention group.The average height increase among the boys in the intervention group was higher than the boys in the control group.The average weight increase among girls in intervention group was lower than the girls in the control group(P0.05).The pedometer reading at intervention group stabilized around 4 000 steps per day with exercises intensity at the heart rate around 140/min.Conclusion Using pedometer and heart rate for monitoring exercises intervention is a simple,practical and effective way to conduct a personalized exercises intervention among school children.