The results are in, in addition to greater fitness, 8 weeks of aerobic exercise improves HDL cholesterol and endothelial function in overweight children and adolescents, according to a report in the December issue of the Journal of Pediatrics.

Dr. Aaron S. Kelly, from the St. Paul Heart Clinic in Minnesota, and colleagues studied 20 children with a mean body mass index of 30.4. At baseline, a significant correlation was seen between levels of C-reactive protein and with fasting insulin. The children were randomized to a stationary cycling or to a non-exercising control group.

Compared with controls, exercising subjects showed a significant improvement in aerobic fitness, as measured by peak oxygen uptake. In addition, exercising subjects experienced a significant increase in HDL cholesterol levels and in brachial artery flow-mediated dilation, an indicator of endothelial function.

In a related editorial, Dr. Samuel S. Gidding, from Nemours Cardiac Center in Wilmington, Delaware, comments that "it is common in editorials to applaud the scientific work done by creative investigators and call for more research." However, in light of such findings, "I think we ought to do more exercise and exercise teaching than research."

Source: Diabetes In Control.com: J Pediatr 2004;145:731-736.