Effectiveness of Jogging as an Intervention to Prevent Obesity in Elementary School Children and Developmental Implications
Research Article
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Effectiveness of Jogging as an Intervention to Prevent Obesity in Elementary School Children and Developmental Implications

Zhuoyi Li 1*
1 Postgraduate School, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
*Corresponding author: liloadingzy@gmail.com
Published on 20 July 2025
Volume Cover
TNS Vol.126
ISSN (Print): 2753-8826
ISSN (Online): 2753-8818
ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-265-2
ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-266-9
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Abstract

Childhood obesity poses a severe global public health threat, with China facing a projected overweight/obesity rate of 28.0% among children aged over 7 by 2030, adversely impacting both physical and mental health. This paper comprehensively analyzes the intervention effects of jogging on preventing obesity and influencing the growth and development of primary school students. The results of this paper indicate that jogging effectively regulates energy balance, activates aerobic metabolism, significantly burns calories through hormonal regulation, improves insulin sensitivity, reduces fat synthesis and enhances satiety. Physiologically, jogging enhances cardiorespiratory fitness, promotes bone/muscle development and increases bone mineral density. Crucially, jogging can also have significant mental health benefits, reducing anxiety and depression while increasing self-esteem and confidence. In addition, it enhances cognitive functioning, particularly executive control and breadth of attention in the classroom (12%-18% increase). In addition, group jogging activities help develop social adjustment and life skills. This paper identifies major barriers to physical activity (academic stress, lack of safe spaces, and screen time) and proposes multilevel prevention strategies involving school, family, and society, findings that provide strong evidence for the development of effective obesity prevention policies and the promotion of holistic child development.

Keywords:

Childhood obesity, Jogging intervention, Growth and development, Prevention strategies.

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Li,Z. (2025). Effectiveness of Jogging as an Intervention to Prevent Obesity in Elementary School Children and Developmental Implications. Theoretical and Natural Science,126,46-53.

References

[1]. Li Haixia, & Xie Kunxia. (2024). Overview of the Status Quo, Hazards and Intervention Measures of Overweight and Obesity in Children and Adolescents . Advances in Clinical Medicine, 14, 497.

[2]. Zhu Zhiqiang et al, . (2025). Health benefits of physical activity for obese and overweight children: a systematic review of systematic reviews, 31(3), 296-305.

[3]. Zhu Lin et al, .(2022). (eds.) Proceedings of the 8th China Sports Doctoral Forum (Special Reports) (pp.260-261). Guangzhou Sport University; doi: 10.26914/c.cnkihy.2022.069963.

[4]. Zhao Rui et al, .(2024).Meta-analysis of the Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Executive Function in Overweight and Obese Children. Chinese General Practice, 27(30), 3817-3824+3834.

[5]. Liu et al, (2022). Effectiveness of a Multifaceted Intervention for Prevention of Obesity in Primary School Children in China: A Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA pediatrics, 176(1), e214375. https: //doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2021.4375

[6]. Guthold et al, (2020). Global trends in insufficient physical activity among adolescents: a pooled analysis of 298 population-based surveys with 1.6 million participants. The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, 4(1), 23-35.

[7]. Rebello et al , . (2023). Effect of exercise training on insulin-stimulated glucose disposal: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. International journal of obesity, 47(5), 348-357.

[8]. Weiss et al , . (2017). Effects of weight loss on lean mass, strength, bone, and aerobic capacity. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 49(1), 206.

[9]. Brown et al, . (2019). Childhood obesity intervention studies: a narrative review and guide for investigators, authors, editors, reviewers, journalists, and readers to guard against exaggerated effectiveness claims. Obesity Reviews, 20(11), 1523-1541.

[10]. Baquet et al , .(2010). Continuous vs. interval aerobic training in 8-to 11-year-old children. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 24(5), 1381-1388.

[11]. Fu et al , . (2025). The effects of physical activity on the mental health of typically developing children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Public Health, 25, 1514.

[12]. University of Michigan, (Jan. 8, 2025) Harnessing the power of sports to help young people thrive, https: //msutoday.msu.edu/news/2025/harnessing-the-power-of-sports-to-help-young-people-thrive

[13]. Zhao Qian et al, .(2018). CiteSpace-based Analysis of Global Research Landscape, Hotspots, and Emerging Trends in Sedentary Behavior Field. In (eds.) Proceedings of the 2nd "National Fitness & Scientific Exercise" Academic Conference (pp.43-44). School of Physical Education, Jiangxi Normal University.

[14]. Zhou Yang et al, .(2022).Study on Outdoor Activity Space of Child-friendly Community Based on Behavioral Characteristics and Psychological Needs. Chinese Landscape Architecture, 38(07), 115-120. doi: 10.19775/j.cla.2022.07.0115.

[15]. University of Minnesota, (September 16, 2024). Students with multiple marginalized identities face barriers to sports participation, https: //twin-cities.umn.edu/news-events/students-multiple-marginalized-identities-face-barriers-sports -participation

References

[1]. Li Haixia, & Xie Kunxia. (2024). Overview of the Status Quo, Hazards and Intervention Measures of Overweight and Obesity in Children and Adolescents . Advances in Clinical Medicine, 14, 497.

[2]. Zhu Zhiqiang et al, . (2025). Health benefits of physical activity for obese and overweight children: a systematic review of systematic reviews, 31(3), 296-305.

[3]. Zhu Lin et al, .(2022). (eds.) Proceedings of the 8th China Sports Doctoral Forum (Special Reports) (pp.260-261). Guangzhou Sport University; doi: 10.26914/c.cnkihy.2022.069963.

[4]. Zhao Rui et al, .(2024).Meta-analysis of the Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Executive Function in Overweight and Obese Children. Chinese General Practice, 27(30), 3817-3824+3834.

[5]. Liu et al, (2022). Effectiveness of a Multifaceted Intervention for Prevention of Obesity in Primary School Children in China: A Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA pediatrics, 176(1), e214375. https: //doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2021.4375

[6]. Guthold et al, (2020). Global trends in insufficient physical activity among adolescents: a pooled analysis of 298 population-based surveys with 1.6 million participants. The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, 4(1), 23-35.

[7]. Rebello et al , . (2023). Effect of exercise training on insulin-stimulated glucose disposal: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. International journal of obesity, 47(5), 348-357.

[8]. Weiss et al , . (2017). Effects of weight loss on lean mass, strength, bone, and aerobic capacity. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 49(1), 206.

[9]. Brown et al, . (2019). Childhood obesity intervention studies: a narrative review and guide for investigators, authors, editors, reviewers, journalists, and readers to guard against exaggerated effectiveness claims. Obesity Reviews, 20(11), 1523-1541.

[10]. Baquet et al , .(2010). Continuous vs. interval aerobic training in 8-to 11-year-old children. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 24(5), 1381-1388.

[11]. Fu et al , . (2025). The effects of physical activity on the mental health of typically developing children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Public Health, 25, 1514.

[12]. University of Michigan, (Jan. 8, 2025) Harnessing the power of sports to help young people thrive, https: //msutoday.msu.edu/news/2025/harnessing-the-power-of-sports-to-help-young-people-thrive

[13]. Zhao Qian et al, .(2018). CiteSpace-based Analysis of Global Research Landscape, Hotspots, and Emerging Trends in Sedentary Behavior Field. In (eds.) Proceedings of the 2nd "National Fitness & Scientific Exercise" Academic Conference (pp.43-44). School of Physical Education, Jiangxi Normal University.

[14]. Zhou Yang et al, .(2022).Study on Outdoor Activity Space of Child-friendly Community Based on Behavioral Characteristics and Psychological Needs. Chinese Landscape Architecture, 38(07), 115-120. doi: 10.19775/j.cla.2022.07.0115.

[15]. University of Minnesota, (September 16, 2024). Students with multiple marginalized identities face barriers to sports participation, https: //twin-cities.umn.edu/news-events/students-multiple-marginalized-identities-face-barriers-sports -participation

Cite this article

Li,Z. (2025). Effectiveness of Jogging as an Intervention to Prevent Obesity in Elementary School Children and Developmental Implications. Theoretical and Natural Science,126,46-53.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

About volume

Volume title: Proceedings of ICBioMed 2025 Symposium: AI for Healthcare: Advanced Medical Data Analytics and Smart Rehabilitation

ISBN: 978-1-80590-265-2(Print) / 978-1-80590-266-9(Online)
Editor: Alan Wang
Conference website: https://2025.icbiomed.org/auckland.html
Conference date: 17 October 2025
Series: Theoretical and Natural Science
Volume number: Vol.126
ISSN: 2753-8818(Print) / 2753-8826(Online)

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