A Narrative Review: Reducing Obesity among Adolescent Girls through Physical Activity

Abstract

Background The prevalence of obesity among adolescent girls is increasing at an alarming rate, raising major health and social concerns. Physical activity is an important factor in the fight against obesity, but its effectiveness is sometimes still ambiguous.

Aim The aim of this narrative review is to bring together and critically evaluate the available research on the role of physical activity in reducing obesity rates among adolescent girls. This review focuses on investigating the effectiveness of different types of interventions and highlights the methodological rigor of the included research.

Design A narrative review design was used for the purpose of providing a comprehensive overview and critical appraisal of available research in the field.

Search Strategy A search was performed using reputed databases such as PubMed and Cochrane. Keywords such as “adolescent girls,” “obesity,” “physical activity,” and “body weight” were used to extrapolate scientific references. Studies published from 2013 to 2023 were analysed.

Review Method Twelve studies were selected based on several criteria, including relevance to the research question, methodological rigor, and scientific contribution to the field of study. These studies were carefully evaluated by analysing the strengths and weaknesses of each study, as well as estimating the implications.

Results The review found that there is positive appreciation for the effectiveness of high-intensity interval training (HIIT), educational interventions and school-based programs in reducing obesity rates among adolescent girls. However, studies have also shown that there are factors that need to be considered when designing these interventions, such as unhealthy behaviours including increased screen time. Among noted limitations were small sample sizes in some studies, lack of control groups in some cases, and reliance on self-reported data without independent verification.

Conclusion The findings affirm the role of physical activity in managing obesity among adolescent girls but also highlight the complexity of the issue. Future research should focus on long-term interventions, multidisciplinary approaches, and gender-specific factors. The review serves as a critical guide for clinicians, educators, policymakers, and researchers aiming to develop more effective, evidence-based strategies for obesity management in adolescent girls.