A study of the effect of stevia rebaudiana and aerobic exercise on insulin resistance index and body composition ofobese girls and boys during puberty

Puberty is affected by obesity. The aim was to investigate the interactive effect of stevia aqueous extract consumption and aerobic exercise on insulin resistance index and body composition of obese boys and girls during puberty.

Semi-experimental research; 60 obese boys and girls aged 12-17 years who were divided into four groups: aerobic exercise, stevia, aerobic exercise + stevia, and control. Fasting glucose and insulin levels were measured and the insulin resistance index was calculated by the HOMA-IR method. Subjects practiced three sessions a week for 12 weeks with an intensity of 60 to 85% of maximum heart rate. Supplement for 12 weeks daily 12 cc of the water-soluble extract was taken 3 times after the main meal. Data were analyzed by paired t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and Bonferroni test at the significant level of p

The decrease in body mass index, body fat mass, insulin, and serum glucose as well as the increase in net body mass in the aerobic + stevia exercise group were significant in girls and boys (p < 0.05). HOMA-IR reduction was significant in all groups except the control group, but there was no significant difference between the changes in the two groups of aerobic exercise and control.

Aerobic exercise and consumption of aqueous stevia extract made favorable changes in the subjects' HOMA-IR and body composition, but some of these changes are due to the natural growth process during puberty.