Exercise training, dietary intervention, or combined interventions and their effects on lipid profiles in adults with overweight and obesity: a systematic review and metaanalysis of randomized clinical trials

Abstract

Aims: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the effects of Ex (exercise training) vs. DI (dietary intervention) vs. combined Ex and DI interventions on total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), triglycerides (TG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), in adults with overweight and obesity. Data synthesis: PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched to identify original articles through to March 2022, using keywords for the categories “exercise training”, “dietary intervention”, “overweight and obesity” and “randomized.” Studies that included lipid profiles as outcomes and performed in adults with body mass indexes (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2 were included. A total of 80 studies involving 4,804 adult participants were included in the meta-analysis. Ex was not as effective as DI for reducing TC and TG, and was less effective for reducing LDL. In addition, Ex increased HDL to a greater extent than DI. Combined interventions decreased TC, TG and LDL, but did not increase HDL more than Ex alone. Combined interventions failed to reduce TC or LDL, but decreased TG and increased HDL more than DI alone. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the combination of Ex and DI can be more effective than either Ex or DI alone in improving lipid profiles in adults with overweight and obesity.