Combined Effect of Exercise Training and Green Tea on Lipid Profile in Adults with Overweight and Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta- Analysis

Omid  Zafarmand; Fatemeh  Kazeminasab

doi:10.18502/ijdl.v25i1.20175

Omid Zafarmand Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, University of Yasouj, Yasouj, Iran
Fatemeh Kazeminasab Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, School of Humanities, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijdl.v25i1.20175

Keywords: Exercise Training, Green Tea, Lipid Profile, Obesity, Adults

Abstract

Background: Physical activity and green tea consumption are among the recommended strategies for managing obesity and its related complications, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and liver inflammation. This study aimed to investigate the combined effects of exercise training and green tea intake on lipid profiles in adults with overweight and obesity.

Methods: A systematic search of English and Persian articles published up to June 2024 was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, SID, Civilica, and Magiran databases.

Results: Fourteen studies involving 390 adults with overweight and obesity were included in the meta-analysis. Among them, 198 participants were assigned to the combined exercise and green tea group (mean age: 34 years; mean BMI: 30 kg/m²), and 192 participants were in the control group (mean age: 34 years; mean BMI: 31 kg/m²). The findings demonstrated that the combination of exercise training and green tea consumption led to a significant reduction in total cholesterol (TC) [WMD = −22.923 mg/dL, P = 0.001], triglycerides (TG) [WMD = −9.946 mg/dL, P = 0.001], and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) [WMD = −11.675 mg/dL, P = 0.001], as well as a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) [WMD = 8.888 mg/dL, P = 0.017] compared with the control group.

Conclusion: This meta-analysis indicates that combining exercise training with green tea consumption improves the lipid profile of adults with overweight and obesity by reducing TC, TG, and LDL levels while increasing HDL levels. Therefore, this combination can be recommended as a practical, non-pharmacological strategy to promote lipid profile improvement in this population.