Effectiveness of School-Based Exercise and Weight Management Interventions on Body Composition, Fitness, and Metabolic Health in Overweight and Obese Children: Systematic Review

Amal B Menon, Senthil Kumar N

Abstract: Childhood obesity has emerged as a major global public health concern, with a rising prevalence and early onset of metabolic, cardiovascular, and psychosocial complications that can persist into adulthood. Since children spend a significant amount of their daily lives in schools, they offer an accessible and perfect environment for putting large-scale obesity prevention and treatment strategies into practice. The purpose of this systematic review was to assess how well school-based weight-management and exercise programs affected the body composition, physical fitness, and metabolic health outcomes of children who were overweight or obese. In order to find randomized controlled trials published in English between 2000 and 2024, a thorough search of electronic databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and ScienceDirect was carried out. Studies involving children aged 6-17 years who participated in school-based exercise programs, lifestyle modification interventions, or obesity prevention strategies were included. Six randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria and were critically analysed. High-intensity interval training incorporated into physical education curricula, culturally appropriate school-based preventative models, combined aerobic and resistance training, and structured lifestyle change programs were among the interventions that were reviewed. The results showed steady improvements in body composition, including favourable changes in lean body mass and notable drops in body fat %. Numerous studies revealed significant gains in muscular strength and cardiorespiratory fitness, measured by VO?max. Furthermore, improvements were noted in metabolic health metrics as body mass index trajectories, lipid profiles, and insulin sensitivity. High-intensity interval training?based interventions were particularly effective despite shorter training durations, highlighting their feasibility and efficiency within school settings. Overall, the evidence suggests that structured, school-based exercise and weight management interventions are effective in improving physical fitness, body composition, and metabolic health among overweight and obese children and support their integration into school curricula to promote long-term healthy lifestyle behaviours.

Keywords: Childhood obesity, School-based exercise intervention, High-intensity interval training, Body composition

How to Cite?: Amal B Menon, Senthil Kumar N, "Effectiveness of School-Based Exercise and Weight Management Interventions on Body Composition, Fitness, and Metabolic Health in Overweight and Obese Children: Systematic Review", Volume 15 Issue 1, January 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1613-1616, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26113194840, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26113194840