Obesity: The Relationship between Growth Hormone and Exercises

Abstract

Obesity is one of the main causes of death around the world. Moreover, considering the cardiometabolic risk (CMR), the relationship between obesity and CMR is well-established, and the location of adipose tissue (AT), particularly in the abdominal region, is considered an important predictor of metabolic dysfunction than total fat mass. Central obesity can be related to abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT). The relationship between SAT and CMR is not still clear, but the VAT has been considered a unique pathogenic fat depot. In this context, it is important to identify clinical interventions that could be used to improve the management of obesity. The aim of this chapter is to integrate knowledge about the relevance of exercises and/or growth hormone (GH) to the management of individuals with obesity. In conclusion, it appears that exercise-induced reductions in VAT are mediated by induced changes in GH levels. This could be due to the similar lipolytic effects of both GH and exercise on VAT and this relationship would benefit the role of exercise as an intervention against obesity. Preventing and understanding the development of obesity is therefore essential if it is wanted to curb the global epidemic and save social security several million costs concerning health problems.