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EDITORIAL article
Front. Med.
Sec. Family Medicine and Primary Care
Volume 12 - 2025 |
doi: 10.3389/fmed.2025.1558522
This article is part of the Research Topic Physical Exercise and Metabolic Health in Children and Adolescents View all 10 articles
Editorial: Physical Exercise and Metabolic Health in Children and Adolescents
Provisionally accepted- 1 Faculty for Sport and Physical Education, University of Montenegro, Niksic, Montenegro
- 2 Assistance Publique Hopitaux De Paris, Paris, Île-de-France, France
- 3 Facultad de Deportes, Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia, Murcia, Murcia, Spain
The alarming rise in childhood obesity and related metabolic disorders represents a pressing global health challenge, with over 340 million children and adolescents aged 5-19 categorized as overweight or obese, according to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2021). This epidemic underscores the critical need for evidence-based strategies to promote metabolic health through physical activity. Regular engagement in structured exercise interventions, habitual physical activity, and innovative approaches has improved youth insulin sensitivity, lipid profiles, and overall metabolic function (Hills et al., 2011;Janssen & LeBlanc, 2010). By examining diverse perspectives and methodologies, this Research Topic provides actionable insights into developing effective interventions and policies to combat this pervasive issue.Nine compelling articles addresses the multifaceted relationship between physical activity and metabolic health, exploring various aspects of exercise science, from metabolic biomarkers to psychosocial outcomes. Together, they provide a comprehensive overview of current research and practical applications in the field through four thematic areas: 1) Exercise and metabolic biomarkers, 2) Exercise interventions and obesity management, 3) Psychosocial and cognitive benefits of physical activity, and 4) Policy recommendations for physical activity of the youngsters.In this issue, Vasileva et al. highlight the effects of neuromuscular training on metabolic biomarkers (e.g., salivary high molecular weight adiponectin) and physical fitness parameters, linking exercise interventions to measurable physiological outcomes. These findings align with broader evidence that exercise modulates key metabolic pathways, reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases (Ekelund et al., 2012;Poitras et al., 2016).Several articles address the critical challenge of childhood obesity and explore strategies for its management. The nine articles on this Research Topic collectively reinforce physical activity's essential role in enhancing children's and adolescents' metabolic and psychosocial health. Future research should explore the long-term impacts of different exercise types and intensities and the integration of new technologies to promote activity. On the other hand, policymakers must prioritize equitable access to safe environments for physical activity, incorporating these into educational and community frameworks. Such actions will foster healthier generations and mitigate the burden of metabolic disorders worldwide.
Keywords: physical activity, Metabolic health, Childhood Obesity, exercise interventions, Children and adolescents
Received: 10 Jan 2025; Accepted: 16 Jan 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Popovic, De Filippo and Gonzalez-Galvez. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence:
Stevo Popovic, Faculty for Sport and Physical Education, University of Montenegro, Niksic, Montenegro
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