{"title":"Impact of Increasing Levels of Obesity on Functional Capacity and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Children.","authors":"Youssef E Ahmed, Jeremy Wadowski, Sarita Dhuper","doi":"10.1123/pes.2022-0070","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study aims to evaluate the impact of increasing severity of childhood obesity on cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) using cardiopulmonary exercise testing.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective analysis of cardiopulmonary exercise testing data from patients <21 years of age was performed. Patients were categorized by body mass index percentile into 4 classes. CRF was assessed and compared between groups by relative peak VO2 and metabolic equivalents achieved at limit of tolerance.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 204 patients were included in the study. Significantly lower relative peak VO2 and metabolic equivalents and higher adjusted peak VO2 were achieved with increasing obesity. Resting and recovery heart rates (HRs) were significantly higher in Class III compared with the nonobese patients (P = .001 and .003, respectively). Class III patients had a significantly greater HR at anaerobic threshold relative to maximum HR achieved compared with the nonobese patients (P = .002). There was no significant difference between groups in the rating of perceived exertion at peak exercise, peak O2 pulse, or maximum HR achieved.</p><p><strong>Conclusion(s): </strong>Our study has shown that CRF worsens with increasing levels of obesity. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing can be used as an objective measure to assess CRF as a target for intervention in childhood obesity for pediatricians. Improvement in fitness is an achievable outcome, which also translates into improved cardiometabolic health.</p>","PeriodicalId":49712,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Exercise Science","volume":" ","pages":"1-11"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4000,"publicationDate":"2025-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Pediatric Exercise Science","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1123/pes.2022-0070","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"PEDIATRICS","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the impact of increasing severity of childhood obesity on cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) using cardiopulmonary exercise testing.
Methods: A retrospective analysis of cardiopulmonary exercise testing data from patients <21 years of age was performed. Patients were categorized by body mass index percentile into 4 classes. CRF was assessed and compared between groups by relative peak VO2 and metabolic equivalents achieved at limit of tolerance.
Results: A total of 204 patients were included in the study. Significantly lower relative peak VO2 and metabolic equivalents and higher adjusted peak VO2 were achieved with increasing obesity. Resting and recovery heart rates (HRs) were significantly higher in Class III compared with the nonobese patients (P = .001 and .003, respectively). Class III patients had a significantly greater HR at anaerobic threshold relative to maximum HR achieved compared with the nonobese patients (P = .002). There was no significant difference between groups in the rating of perceived exertion at peak exercise, peak O2 pulse, or maximum HR achieved.
Conclusion(s): Our study has shown that CRF worsens with increasing levels of obesity. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing can be used as an objective measure to assess CRF as a target for intervention in childhood obesity for pediatricians. Improvement in fitness is an achievable outcome, which also translates into improved cardiometabolic health.
期刊介绍:
Pediatric Exercise Science is a journal committed to enriching the scientific knowledge of exercise during childhood and adolescence. To this end it publishes information that contributes to an understanding of (a) the unique aspects of the physiologic, physical, biochemical, and psychologic responses of children to exercise, (b) the role of exercise in the treatment of pediatric chronic diseases, (c) the importance of physical activity in the prevention of illness and preservation of wellness, and (d) the means by which participation in sports may be made safer and more enjoyable for children and youth. Consideration will be given for publication of work by various methodologies consistent with the scientific approach.
Besides original research, the journal includes review articles, abstracts from other journals, book reviews, and editorial comments. Pediatric Exercise Science encourages the expression of conflicting opinions regarding children and exercise by providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. At the same time it serves as a means of accumulating a base of research information that will allow application of experimental data to clinical practice. The scientific disciplines contributing to this body of knowledge are diverse. Therefore it is the purpose of this journal to provide a common focus for disseminating advances in the science of exercise during childhood. In doing so, the journal allows the opportunity for cross-fertilization of ideas between disciplines that will potentiate the growth of knowledge in this field. Pediatric Exercise Science seeks to stimulate new ideas regarding exercise in children and to increase the awareness of scientists, health care providers, and physical educators of the importance of exercise during childhood.