The Effect of Aerobic Training on Plasma Levels of Leptin and Adiponectin in Overweight and Obese Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Leptin and adiponectin are two peptide hormones that regulate energy balance. Physical activity can improve plasma levels of leptin and adiponectin. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of aerobic training on plasma levels of leptin and adiponectin in overweight and obese children and adolescents. 

The search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, SID, and Magiran databases until January 2024. The present meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the effect of aerobic training on plasma levels of leptin and adiponectin in overweight and obese children and adolescents. Mean difference and %95 confidence interval (CI) were calculated using random effect model. Heterogeneity was evaluated using the I2 test and publication bias was evaluated by visual analysis of the funnel plot and Egger's test. 

A total of 21 studies with (28 interventions) 816 overweight or obese children and adolescents were meta-analyzed. The results showed that aerobic exercise caused a significant decrease in serum leptin [P=0.001, (-0.57 to -0.19) SMD=-0.387] and a significant increase in serum adiponectin [P=0.001, (0.25 to 0.60) WMD=0.430] became overweight and obese compared to the control group. 

In general, the results of this meta-analysis demonstrate that aerobic exercise is an effective and beneficial exercise method for reducing leptin blood circulation and increasing adiponectin in overweight and obese children and adolescents. Therefore, it seems that types of aerobic exercise may be a non-pharmacological and practical intervention to regulate adipokines and reduce disorders related to overweight and obesity in children and adolescents.