University of Guilan Metabolism and Exercise 2322-2867 13 1 2023 04 21 The combined effect of aerobic exercise and vegetarian diet on body weight and insulin resistance indices: a systematic review and meta-analysis The combined effect of aerobic exercise and vegetarian diet on body weight and insulin resistance indices: a systematic review and meta-analysis 191 218 6969 10.22124/jme.2023.24237.291 FA Fatemeh Kazeminasab Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran. Journal Article 2023 04 05 Background: The exercise training and vegetarian diets have been accepted as a suitable and non-pharmacological method to improve lifestyle and reduce metabolic diseases, including diabetes and metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study was to investigate the combined effect of aerobic exercise and vegetarian diet on insulin resistance factors.<br />Methods: The PubMed, Web of Science, SID, Magiran, and Google scholar databases were searched until February 2022 for English articles. Meta-analyses were performed to compare the impact of aerobic exercise and vegetarian diet on insulin resistance factors (fasting glucose, insulin, and HOMA-IR). Standardized mean differences (SMD), weighted mean differences (WMD), and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using random and fixed effect models. Also, the I2 test was used to determine heterogeneity, and the Funnel plot and Egger tests at a significant level of 0.1 were used to determine publication bias.<br />Results: The results of meta-analysis of 29 studies with 10019 adults, showed that aerobic exercise and vegetarian diet significantly decreased in body weight [WMD=-4.49, (CI: -6.27 to -2.72), p=0.001], fasting serum glucose [SMD=-0.46, (CI: -0.65 to -0.27), p=0.001], serum insulin [SMD=-0.42, (CI: -0.52 to -0.32), p=0.001], and HOMA-IR [WMD=-0.73, (CI: -0.97 to -0.49), p=0.001].<br />Conclusion: The findings of the present meta-analysis show the important role of exercise and vegetarian diet in improving insulin resistance. So, aerobic exercise and vegetarian diet are suggested as a non-drug approach for reducing fasting insulin and glucose for adults. Background: The exercise training and vegetarian diets have been accepted as a suitable and non-pharmacological method to improve lifestyle and reduce metabolic diseases, including diabetes and metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study was to investigate the combined effect of aerobic exercise and vegetarian diet on insulin resistance factors.<br />Methods: The PubMed, Web of Science, SID, Magiran, and Google scholar databases were searched until February 2022 for English articles. Meta-analyses were performed to compare the impact of aerobic exercise and vegetarian diet on insulin resistance factors (fasting glucose, insulin, and HOMA-IR). Standardized mean differences (SMD), weighted mean differences (WMD), and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using random and fixed effect models. Also, the I2 test was used to determine heterogeneity, and the Funnel plot and Egger tests at a significant level of 0.1 were used to determine publication bias.<br />Results: The results of meta-analysis of 29 studies with 10019 adults, showed that aerobic exercise and vegetarian diet significantly decreased in body weight [WMD=-4.49, (CI: -6.27 to -2.72), p=0.001], fasting serum glucose [SMD=-0.46, (CI: -0.65 to -0.27), p=0.001], serum insulin [SMD=-0.42, (CI: -0.52 to -0.32), p=0.001], and HOMA-IR [WMD=-0.73, (CI: -0.97 to -0.49), p=0.001].<br />Conclusion: The findings of the present meta-analysis show the important role of exercise and vegetarian diet in improving insulin resistance. So, aerobic exercise and vegetarian diet are suggested as a non-drug approach for reducing fasting insulin and glucose for adults. https://jme.guilan.ac.ir/article_6969_9db0a57dcbb2d63def813aa6cef6fbc4.pdf