Comparison of cardiorespiratory fitness between preschool children with normal and excess body adipose ~ An observational study.

Sheng-Hui Tuan,Chien-Hui Li,I-Hsuan Chen,I-Hsiu Liou,Min-Hui Li,Ko-Long Lin,Shu-Fen Sun,Tzu-Ping Weng,David Jiménez-Pavón

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0223907

Sheng-Hui Tuan, Chien-Hui Li + Show 7 more

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https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0223907

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Abstract

ObjectiveOverweight and obesity in preschoolers might develop into childhood and even adulthood obesity. Overweight and obesity have been shown to be negatively related with cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in children and adults but few studies did among preschoolers. We aimed to evaluate whether excess body adipose is negatively associated with CRF in both the submaximal and maximal effort of preschool children in exercise testing and to examine if there is difference to achieve maximal effort during exercise testing between preschoolers with normal and excess body adipose.MethodsData of 106 preschoolers aged 4–6 that received symptom-limited treadmill exercise testing was analyzed. Anthropometry was measured by vector bioelectrical impedance analysis. Excess body adipose was defined as (1) ‘overweight’ and ‘obesity’ by body mass index (BMI), (2) fat mass index (FMI) greater than the sex- and age-specific 75th percentile of whole subjects, and (3) fat-free mass index (FFMI) smaller than the sex- and age-specific 25th percentile. CRF was indicated by metabolic equivalent (MET) at anaerobic threshold (AT MET), peak MET, oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES) calculated by the 50% (OUES-50) and the entire (OUES-100) duration of the exercise testing.ResultsPreschoolers with excess body adipose by three different definitions (BMI, FMI, and FFMI) all had poorer ability to perform maximal effort (p = 0.004, 0.043, and 0.007, respectively). Preschoolers with excess body adipose by BMI and FFMI classifications had lower OUES-50 (p = 0.018, and 0.001, respectively), and lower OUES-100 (p = 0.004, and 0.001, respectively) than peers with normal body adipose during exercise testing while those with excess body adipose by FMI classification showed no significant differences from peers with normal body adipose in both OUES-50 and OUES-100.ConclusionsPreschoolers with excess body adipose had lower CRF significantly during treadmill exercise testing. Weight control and health promotion should start as early as possible.

Highlights

More and more evidences suggest a dramatic increase in prevalence of childhood obesity over the past few decades and it is recognized as a serious public health concern[1, 2]
We found that preschool children with excess body adipose by both body mass index (BMI) and fat-free mass index (FFMI) classifications showed significantly poorer ability to perform maximal effort during exercise testing
We observed that preschool children with excess body adipose had lower oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES)-50 and OUES-100 than those with normal body adipose no matter in BMI or FFMI classifications

Summary

Introduction

More and more evidences suggest a dramatic increase in prevalence of childhood obesity over the past few decades and it is recognized as a serious public health concern[1, 2]. Preschool obesity might cause serious health consequences in both physical and psychological aspects later in life[4]. It increase early risk for much of adult morbidity, such as type 2 diabetes[5], hypertension and dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease[6], asthma and sleep apnea[7], and even premature death[8]. It is associated with lower self-esteem, psychological and social stress[9]. Overweight and obesity in childhood will track into adulthood and is difficult to treat successfully[10]

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