Obesity and overweight are serious public health issues affecting millions throughout the world. In many communities, these factors not only cause chronic diseases but also lower quality of life. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the role of water aerobics (WAs) in modifying body composition in overweight and obese people. Despite the long-standing advocacy for water aerobics as a low-impact workout, the precise effects on body composition have only recently come to light.

Researchers planned the study as a systematic review and meta-analysis. On November 16, 2024, researchers did a thorough literature search utilising reliable databases, including PubMed MEDLINE, Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. Only randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were considered, and all the selected studies assessed anthropometric and body composition characteristics in overweight and obese individuals. The studies were reported according to the "Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Statement."

The evaluation comprised 10 trials with 286 individuals. The meta-analysis revealed that water aerobics significantly lowered body weight (BW) and waist circumference (WC). The weighted mean difference (WMD) for BW was -2.69, with a 95% CI of -4.10 to -1.27 (p<0.05, I²=0.0%). For WC, the WMD was -2.75, with a 95% CI of -4.41 to -1.09 (p<0.05, I²=27.0%). Other body markers, such as body mass index, lean mass, fat mass, waist-hip ratio, hip circumference, and body fat percentage, did not show statistically significant changes. The GRADE assessment found moderate certainty of evidence for BW and WC, but low or very low confidence for the remaining parameters.

The study shows that water aerobics programs lasting 10 to 12 weeks can significantly reduce body weight and waist circumference in overweight and obese people. The findings were more prominent in women, as well as middle-aged and older persons, with an average age of 45 or older. These findings are encouraging because they indicate that water aerobics could be a safe and accessible workout choice for persons who find high-impact activities difficult.

This systematic review and meta-analysis give strong evidence that water aerobics can improve important health indices in overweight and obese persons. As obesity continues to burden public health systems, including water aerobics into daily exercise routines may provide a viable solution for weight loss and overall well-being.