PHYSICAL-TRAINING, LIFE-STYLE EDUCATION, AND CORONARY RISK-FACTORS INOBESE GIRLS

The effects of supervised physical training (PT) and lifestyle educati on (LSE) on risk factors for coronary artery disease and non-insulin-d ependent diabetes mellitus were compared in obese 7- to 11-yr-old blac k girls. The subjects were divided into two groups. The PT group (N = 12) completed a 5-d . wk(-1), 10-wk, aerobic training program; and the LSE group participated in weekly lifestyle discussions to improve exe rcise and eating habits. The PT group showed a significant increase in aerobic fitness (P < 0.05) and decrease in percent body fat (P < 0.05 ), while the LSE group declined significantly more in dietary energy a nd percent of energy from fat (P < 0.05). Fasting insulin did not chan ge significantly. The LSE group declined significantly more than the P T group in glucose (P < 0.05), and glycohemoglobin declined from basel ine in both groups (P < 0.05). Lipid changes were similar in the two g roups: total cholesterol/high density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0.0 1) and triglycerides (P < 0.05) declined, the low density lipoprotein (LDL)/apoproteinB ratio increased (which indicates a decrease in small dense LDL) (P < 0.05) and lipoprotein(a) increased (P < 0.05). Thus, the interventions were similarly effective in improving some diabetoge nic and atherogenic factors, perhaps through different pathways; i.e., the PT improved fitness and fatness, while the LSE improved diet. Exe rcise and diet-induced changes in lipoprotein(a) require further inves tigation.