OBJECTIVE

To investigate in severely obese adolescents the effects of a 3-week multidisciplinary weight-reduction intervention involving moderate energy restriction, individualised physical activity and behavior therapy on the response of some hormonal and metabolic parameters to meals and exercise.

DESIGN

Clinical longitudinal study on inpatients in a specialised institution.

SUBJECTS

A total of 20 obese adolescents (10 boys and 10 girls) aged 12-17 yr [body mass index (BMI): 37.7±6.1 kg/m2; fat mass (FM): 44.8±13.2 kg].

MEASUREMENTS

The changes in plasma concentration of leptin, ghrelin, GH, IGF-I, insulin, glucose, and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) in response to standardised meals and exercise bouts were measured before and after the weight-reduction intervention. At the same times, body composition was assessed by bioelectrical impedance as well as appetite sensations using a visual analog scale.

RESULTS

At the end of the intervention, the adolescents had lost body weight and FM (expressed both in kg and %) (p<0.05), without any significant fat-free mass loss (in % terms). In response to both meals and exercise, after the 3-week intervention, plasma leptin concentration decreased significantly (p<0.05), whereas the other hormones (insulin, ghrelin, GH, and IGF-I) and metabolic parameters (glucose and NEFA) did not change. Interestingly, appetite was not affected by the intervention.

CONCLUSION

This 3-week multidisciplinary intervention in obese adolescents induced a significant body weight loss with beneficial changes in body composition. However, despite there being no change in metabolic parameters and ghrelin in response to meals and exercise after the intervention, plasma concentrations of leptin were decreased. The failure of ghrelin levels to increase by this approach might explain the good control of appetite observed at the end of the study.