Resistance Exercise for Body Composition in Children Who Are Overweight or Obese

Childhood obesity is a major public health issue linked to long-term metabolic disorders. Although aerobic exercise is often emphasized, evidence suggests that resistance exercise may also improve body composition in youth who are overweight or obese. This study aims to examine the effects of resistance-based exercise programs on fat mass, lean mass, body fat percentage, body weight, and body mass index in children and adolescents who are overweight or obese and to identify potential moderators of these effects.

Eight electronic databases and 3 gray literature databases were searched from inception to May 2025. Randomized controlled trials involving resistance-based exercise programs in children and adolescents classified as overweight or obese were included. Data were extracted independently in duplicate, and random-effects meta-analyses were performed.

Twenty-four trials (n = 846 participants) were included. Resistance exercise significantly reduced fat mass (-2.06 kg), body fat percentage (-2.1%), and body weight (-1.3 kg), and increased lean mass (+0.8 kg), with small-to-moderate effect sizes (standardized mean difference = -0.35 to 0.33; P < .05). No significant moderating effects of age, sex, duration, volume, or intensity were identified.

Resistance exercise improves body composition in children and adolescents who are overweight or obese.