Anthropometric, Functional, and Metabolic Changes Following a Postprandial Walking Program in Overweight Adolescents

Abstract

   Overweight during adolescence is a health concern because of its association with metabolic disorders and its potential long-term consequences for young people's well-being. In this context, schools provide opportunities to promote healthy habits through simple physical activities that can be incorporated into daily routines without requiring substantial resources. Walking after meals is therefore an approach worth investigating in relation to physical fitness and indicators of metabolic health. This study aimed to analyze anthropometric, functional, and metabolic changes associated with a postprandial walking program in overweight adolescents attending Los Laureles Educational Institution in Barrancabermeja, Colombia. The research followed a mixed-method approach and included measurements taken before and after the intervention. The program consisted of 15-minute walks after school lunch, and the assessed variables included body mass index, body fat percentage, waist circumference, distance covered in a walking test, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). According to the results reported in the research document, favorable changes were observed in anthropometric and metabolic indicators following the intervention, together with an increase in walking distance. These findings provide a basis for exploring postprandial walking as a physical activity strategy in the school setting. However, definitive interpretation requires verification of the initial and final measurements, confirmation of the actual intervention duration, and clarification of the statistical analyses performed. This review will help ensure that the conclusions accurately reflect the findings and support a more rigorous assessment of the intervention's implications for promoting health among overweight adolescents.