Which type of exercise is preferred for overweight children?

While weight/resistance training may be beneficial for building muscle and improving strength in overweight children, aerobic exercise is generally the preferred method for promoting overall health, reducing body fat, and improving cardiovascular fitness. Aerobic activities, such as running, swimming, and cycling, help to increase heart rate and calorie expenditure, which are essential for weight management.

In overweight children, increasing physical activity through aerobic exercise can lead to significant improvements in fitness levels and overall health. Engaging in these types of exercises can enhance endurance, support healthy weight loss, and foster a positive attitude toward physical activity.

It's important to note that any recommendations should consider the child's individual interests and capabilities to encourage adherence and enjoyment in physical activities. Weight and resistance training can be incorporated as a complementary component when appropriately supervised and tailored to the child's developmental stage, but it is not typically the primary focus for overall fitness improvements in children. Other forms of exercise like high-intensity interval training and mind-body practices like yoga and Pilates may provide benefits as well but may not be as universally effective for overall health and weight management in this demographic.