Current review of intervention studies on obesity and the role of physical activity in weight control

抄録

Obesity is a major public health problem, both globally and in Japan. A nationwide approach targeting metabolic syndrome has routinely been conducted in Japan since April 2008; however, the obesity statistics have not improved. Promotion of physical activity is one anti-obesity strategy. Numerous observational studies have revealed inverse associations between obesity and physical activity; however, these results have not always been conducted as randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that can provide the highest level of evidence. Therefore, this review looks at RCTs in the field of obesity and physical activity worldwide. The Diabetes Prevention Program and the Look AHEAD study are representative RCTs in this field. A guideline for the management of overweight and obesity among U.S. adults has recently been updated using a systematic review of good- or fair-quality RCTs, but a comprehensive, systematic review of RCTs in Japan has not yet been undertaken. This review seeks to fill this gap. Overall, we only found 10 RCTs that met the three inclusion criteria ([1] intervention study on obesity, [2] overweight or obese Japanese participants, and [3] RCT) and did not meet the exclusion criterion (study protocol without results). Based on our review results, it is strongly suggested that more RCTs in this field be conducted in Japan.