Maximal fat oxidation training improves mental health in children with obesity: a 2-month randomized controlled trial

TL;DR

An 8-week training program that maximizes fat burning significantly improves mental and physical health in obese children.

Contribution

Demonstrates that individualized FATmax training improves mental health and reduces central adiposity in children with obesity.

Findings

Children in the FATmax group showed significant improvements in self-esteem, reduced anxiety, and lower depression scores.

The training led to a 23% increase in VO₂ peak and a 66% increase in FATmax rate.

Mental health improvements were strongly linked to reductions in waist circumference and enhanced aerobic fitness.

Abstract

Obesity impairs physical and mental health; exercise training is a crucial intervention strategy. We examined the effect of an 8-week individualized FATmax training program on mental health in children with obesity.

Thirty-six school-aged children with obesity (13.1 ± 0.9 years; BMI: 33.4 ± 2.3 kg/m²) were randomized to experimental (EXPG, n = 20) or control (CONTG, n = 16) groups. EXPG completed 4 × 90-min weekly FATmax sessions for 8 weeks; CONTG maintained usual activity. Anthropometrics, cardiopulmonary fitness (VO₂ peak, FATmax rate), and psychological outcomes (self-esteem, anxiety, depression) were assessed pre- and post-intervention.

EXPG showed significant improvements vs. CONTG: VO₂ peak (+23%), FATmax rate (+66%), and large reductions in central adiposity (all p < 0.001). Mental health significantly improved in EXPG (self-esteem +59%, anxiety −12%, depression −28%; all p < 0.01), with large effect sizes (ηp² = 0.78–0.94). Changes in mental health strongly correlated with reduced waist circumference (r = 0.74–0.89) and enhanced VO₂ peak and FATmax rate (r = 0.72–0.91; all p < 0.01).

A short, supervised, individualized FATmax intervention substantially improves mental health and cardiometabolic health in school-aged children with obesity, plausibly mediated by decreases in central adiposity and improvements in aerobic fitness.

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