Obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and diabetes as well as all-cause mortality. The prevalence of obesity has continuously increased in most countries and has doubled in over 70 countries since 1980. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated in 2014 that \~600 million (13%) adults were obese and \~1.9 billion (39%) were overweight worldwide. Notably, United States and China have the highest numbers of obese adults. According to a national survey in China in 2014 conducted among 146,703 Chinese adults aged 20-59, the prevalence of obesity was 13%, central obesity was 25% and overweight was 41%. In Hong Kong, the Behavioural Risk Factor Survey conducted by the Government in 2016 found 39% of adults were classified as overweight or obese, of which 21% were obese. The prevalence of central obesity has also risen steadily since 1999 in America. By 2030 is projected to reach 55.6% in men, 80.0% in women, 47.6% among girls and 38.9% among boys in the United States. Overweight, obesity and central obesity are now already pandemic public health issues causing heavy burden on healthcare system. Nowadays, lifestyle modification interventions still remain as the primary strategy to manage obesity and obesity-related complications, among which exercise is low-cost and effective. Substantial evidences have demonstrated effectiveness of HIIT and MICT in reducing body adiposity and improving body Anthropometry. However, studies have also pointed out "lack of time" is one of the major barriers preventing patients from exercise participation. Therefore, studies have put focus on low-frequency or low-volume exercise in improving health to reduce time commitment and increase exercise adherence. Among substantial evidence, our recent study demonstrated once-a-week HIIT is effectively in improving body composition. The effectiveness of low-frequency exercise in reducing visceral fat has also been explored. However, a recent meta-analysis showed low-frequency exercise is not effective in reducing visceral fat. Notably, the authors pointed out most of studies included in the meta-analysis adopted cycling exercise modality and they suggested walking or running exercise which recruits more body muscles may exert better results. In this study, we propose to adopt walking exercise modality to fill the research gap identified by the meta-analysis. Also, no study has compared the effectiveness of low-frequency HIIT and MICT in reducing visceral fat determined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) previously. Study aim: to examine the effectiveness of once-a-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) versus moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) in reducing visceral fat in adults with central obesity
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Health education
Once-a-week HIIT
Once-a-week MICT
Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Visceral fat
The amounts of visceral fat (VAT) at the abdominal region will be assessed by a 1.5-Teala whole-body scanner. A breath-hold localizer scan will be performed prior to the MRI scan. T1-weighted in-phase images will be obtained by fast spoiled gradient-echo sequences during suspended end-expiration. The VAT and between the thoracic diaphragm and the upper broader of the first sacral vertebra will be manually marked on each transverse image to calculate the volume of abdominal VAT.
Time frame: 3-month follow-up
Subcutaneous fat
The amounts of subcutaneous fat (SAT) at the abdominal region will be assessed by a 1.5-Teala whole-body scanner. A breath-hold localizer scan will be performed prior to the MRI scan. T1-weighted in-phase images will be obtained by fast spoiled gradient-echo sequences during suspended end-expiration. The SAT between the thoracic diaphragm and the upper broader of the first sacral vertebra will be manually marked on each transverse image to calculate the volume of abdominal SAT.
Time frame: 3-month follow-up
Body fat mass
Total body fat mass will be determined using a full body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanner (Explorer S/N 91075, Hologic Inc., Waltham, USA). A trained technician who is blinded to the group allocation will perform the tests and analyze the results.
Time frame: 3-month follow-up
Body fat percentage
Total body fat percentage will be determined using a full body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanner (Explorer S/N 91075, Hologic Inc., Waltham, USA). A trained technician who is blinded to the group allocation will perform the tests and analyze the results.
Time frame: 3-month follow-up
Body Mass Index
BMI will be determined by the equation BMI (kg/m2) = bodyweight/height\^2. A calibrated electronic balance(UC-321,A\&D Weighing, Australia, 150 kg capacity, ± 0.05 kg accuracy) and a stadiometer (Seva 231, Seca, Germany, 205 cm limit, ± 0.05 cm accuracy; ) will be used for the measurements.
Time frame: 3-month follow-up
Waist Circumference 1
Waist circumference will be measured on bare skin midway between the lowest rib and the superior border of the iliac crest using an inelastic measuring tape (Seca 201, Seca, Germany) to the nearest 0.1 cm following the WHO guideline. Measurement will be performed at the end of normal expiration.
Time frame: 3-month follow-up
Waist Circumference 2
Waist circumference will be measured on bare skin following the National Institutes of Health (NIH) guideline method (the superior border of the iliac crest)using an inelastic measuring tape (Seca 201, Seca, Germany) to the nearest 0.1 cm. Measurement will be performed at the end of normal expiration.
Time frame: 3-month follow-up
Cardiorespiratory fitness
A maximal exercise test adopting the modified Bruce protocol will be be conducted to determine the maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) of the subjects. The test will be conducted on a calibrated motor-driven treadmill with continuous metabolic VO2 measurement using a COSMED Quark CPET gas analysis system.
Time frame: 3-month follow-up
Bone Mineral Density
Bone mineral density will be simultaneously determined during the DXA scan for total body fat mass.
Time frame: 3-month follow-up
Lean Mass
Lean mass will be simultaneously determined during the DXA scan for total body fat mass.
Time frame: 3-month follow-up
Health-related Quality of Life
The validated Chinese version 12-item short form survey measures health-related quality of life covering physical functioning, emotional and mental health, bodily pain, general health, vitality, and social functioning. A higher overall score indicates better quality of life.
Time frame: 3-month follow-up
Adherence
Class attendance will be analysed to indicate adherence to the interventions.
Time frame: 3-month follow-up
Adverse Events
Adverse events will be closely monitored regularly by athletic coaches and research personnel, and by subjects' voluntary reports. Adverse events will be recorded as a secondary outcome.
Time frame: 3-month follow-up
Medication
Detailed information (e.g., drug name, type, dose and daily frequency) on the use of dyslipidemic and hypertensive medications will be recorded at baseline. Subjects altering the dosage of medications after consultation with their physician over the study period will also be recorded as a secondary outcome. The lowest recommended dose (LRD) for 7 days will be used for the analysis.
Time frame: 3-month follow-up
Habitual Physical Activity
Actigraph activity monitor (wGT3X-BT, Actigraph, USA) worn at the wrist region for 24 h over 7 consecutive days will be used to objectively determine habitual daily physical movement/activities.
Time frame: 3-month follow-up
Dietary Intake
Habitual dietary intake will be assessed by 3-day food diary using an electronic scale (KD-400, Tanita, Japan)to determine the daily caloric intake and the relative proportions of macronutrients (carbohydrate, fat, and protein).
Time frame: 3-month follow-up
Blood pressure
Blood pressure will be obtained at the same day with blood collection. Subjects will visit our laboratory in the morning after 10 hours of overnight fasting in order to retrain from consuming caffeine, alcohol, and blood pressure drugs at least 10 hours before the assessment. After 10 minutes of seated rest, blood pressure will be measured on the left arm using a sphygmomanometer. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure will be obtained over the brachial artery region with the arm supported at the heart level using an appropriately sized cuff. Three measurements will be taken with a one-minute interval, and the average value will be recorded for analysis.
Time frame: 3-month follow-up
Hip circumference
Hip circumference will be be taken on bare skin around the widest portion of the buttocks using an inelastic measuring tape (Seca 201, Seca, Germany) to the nearest 0.1 cm and the tape should be placed parallel to the floor.
Time frame: 3-month follow-up
Self-report habitual physical activity
Self-report habitual physical activity will be measured by International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Higher scores indicate higher level of physical activity.
Time frame: 3-month follow-up
Enjoyment
Enjoyment towards exercise will be quantitatively measured by the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale. This Chinese scale has an overall score from 18 to 126. While a higher score indicates higher level of enjoyment towards the exercise.
Time frame: 3-month follow-up
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