The Role of High Intensity Interval Training in the Treatment of Adolescent Obesity

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age of 12 to 16 years with obesity (BMI ≥95% percentile for age and gender according to the CDC Growth Charts).
• Have a parent (or legal guardian) who is willing to provide basic demographic information, complete required surveys, and attend portions of the weekly adolescent-focused behavioral weight management sessions.
• Participating parent must reside with the adolescent within a 30-mile distance of the study site.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Non-English speaking;
• Weight >300 lbs;
• Medical condition(s) that may be associated with unintentional weight change (e.g., hypothalamic injury, Prader-Willi, untreated thyroid disease or malignancy);
• Diabetes mellitus diagnosed by history or a fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dl (subjects with glucose intolerance or "prediabetes" will eligible for study participation);
• Use of insulin sensitizing agents (e.g. metformin), antihypertensive medications, medications for treatment of hyperlipidemia, oral contraceptives, oral glucocorticoids, atypical antipsychotics, weight loss medications, or an investigational medication within 3 months of study participation;
• Medical condition(s) that may be negatively impacted by high-intensity exercise training;
• Psychiatric, cognitive, developmental or physical conditions that would impair the adolescent's ability to complete assessments, participate in behavioral weight management sessions, or conduct physical activity;
• Reports of compensatory behaviors (i.e., vomiting, laxative abuse, excessive exercise) in the past 3 months;
• Current pregnancy or plan to become pregnant during study period;
• Previous participation in the TEENS study at Virginia Commonwealth University;
• Current participation in another weight loss program; or
• Personal history of weight loss surgery;