The Effect of HIIT in Handling Obesity in Children

Prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents are rapidly rising worldwide. Despite the alarming situation, great confusion of how to tackle obesity persists for two main reasons: the condition is much more complex than initially thought, and many aspects regarding pathophysiology remain unrevealed, leading to an insufficient understanding of the disorder. Childhood obesity is, strongly associated with numerous disorders e.g. hypertension, insuline resistance, sleep apnea, depression and many more.

High intensity Interval Training has proven beneficial in treating obesity and comorbidities in adults. The investigators wish to investigate whether twelve weeks of High-intensity Interval Training(HIT) twice a week is superior to a moderate activity training modus for same period of time with regards to improving weight loss, blood pressure and sleep quality, in severely obese children and adolescents also receiving a multidisciplinary treatment regime. Participants are severely obese children and adolescents referred to the outpatient Clinic for treatment of obesity. Participants are randomizid to either moderate training or HIIT. Antropometric measures, blood pressure and sleep quality as measured by sensewear armbands, are done at baseline, after the twelve weeks of training and again one year after inclusion. Participants are monitored with pulse monitors during training sessions to register if training goals are obtained.

Inclusion criteria

• Iso-BMI > 30 according to the IOTF iso-BMI cut-off points
• Age 8-18 years of age

Exclusion criteria

• Weight below iso-BMI 30, according to the IOTF iso-BMI cut-off points
• Mental illness in the child or the parents that complicates attendance at activities.
• Physical limitations or illness that prevent the child from performing exercise
• If participant is not able to perform all 12 weeks of exercise for other reasons.