Abstract
The aim of this study was to characterize the obesity effect on children knee and hip joint range of motion. A randomized controlled trial was performed with goniometry evaluation for hip flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, external and internal rotation, and knee flexion in fifty male children (20 obese and 30 non obese), with age ranging from 6 to 12 years old. The obesity effect was found to be non-uniform across the joint range of motion. In the obesity group, a statistically significant reduction in the range of motion of hip flexion and adduction, and knee flexion was observed; and also an increase in external rotation in the hip was observed. Conclusion: Obese and overweight children present alterations in hip and knee joints mobility when compared to eutrophic children. The obesity/overweight associated with factors previously described in the literature, such as joint overload, postural deviation and sedentariness may influence the musculoskeletal development and, consequently, the motor function.
Highlights
Obesity is defined as the excessive and generalized accumulation of fat in the subcutaneous tissue and in other tissues, and it may cause health damage [1]
Obese children showed a mean age of nine years old and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 26 kg/cm2
This study investigated the obesity effect on children hip and knee range of motion based on data collected from a sample of 20 obese and 30 non-obese children
Summary
Obesity is defined as the excessive and generalized accumulation of fat in the subcutaneous tissue and in other tissues, and it may cause health damage [1]. How to cite this paper: João, S.M.A., et al (2014) Obesity Effect on Children Hip and Knee Range of Motion. In Brazil, 16.7% of the young population from 10 to 19 years old present excess of weight, and about 2% of the Brazilian adolescents were diagnosed as obese, according to the Brazilian Geography and Statistic Institute [4]. In the United States, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents from 6 to 19 years old is 31.5% [5]. In Australia, child and adolescent obese population range from 19% to 23% [6] [7]. Another research in Australia shows that the overweight and obesity prevalence doubled among youths from 7 to 15 years old [8]
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