Are balance and quality of life impaired in children who are obese?

Abstract

Children who are obese have impaired physical fitness. Balance and coordination are key parameters of fitness and when impaired can lead to falls and musculoskeletal injury. The aim was to investigate whether children who are obese have impaired balance and to explore whether balance impairment is associated with quality of life. Children were recruited from an obesity clinic and were classified as Class 1 (C1) obese (BMI SDS 2.0–2.49) or Class 2 (C2) obese (BMI SDS > 2.5). Balance was measured using the BOT-II. Based on age-adjusted norms, children were classified as having a balance impairment. Quality of life was assessed using the PedsQL. A general linear model compared the differences in balance between C1 and C2 with correction for age, gender and musculokeletal injury. A t-test compared quality of life between children with and without balance impairment. Eighty-seven children (11.15 ± 2.7 years) who were obese (mean BMI SDS = 2.36 ± 0.32; C1: n = 57) were recruited. Mean balance was 26.52 ± 5.2 out of a maximum of 37. 71.26% Of children had impaired balance (C1 70.18% C1; C2 73.33%). C2 obese children had lower balance scores compared to C1 obese children (F = 5.27; p = 0.02). Mean quality of life was 59.0% ± 19.8% (C1 60.7% ± 19.1; C2 57.44 ± 19.8) and children with balance impairment had lower quality of life (56.43 ± 18.35 versus 66.88 ± 20.68, p = 0.04). Results of our study indicate that balance was impaired in children who were obese and that children with such impairment had a lower quality of life. Results highlight the importance of conducting a physiotherapy assessment in children who are obese.