Performance In Obese Children Research Articles

The placebo effect on aerobic fitness test results is preserved following a multidisciplinary intervention program for treating childhood obesity.

The aim of the study was to examine the placebo effect on fitness test results in trained and untrained overweight and obese children. Twenty pre-pubertal overweight children performed two pairs of progressive treadmill exercise tests before and 12weeks into a multidisciplinary program for the treatment of childhood obesity. In each test pair, at random order, participants received different types of information regarding a water drink consumed prior to testing-standard information (water) vs deliberate positive information (presumed energy drink, placebo). The intervention led to a significant change (P<.05) in BMI%ile (95.6±4.4 vs 93.6±6.9), % fat (35.4±6.0 vs 31.6±5.8), baseline heart rate (104.2±11.6 vs 94.0±7.0bpm), total leisure activity score-Godin (9.3±8.8 vs 41.5±15.2), total screen time (6.9±5.8 vs 3.1±1.4h/d), and a significant improvement in fitness. Following the placebo drink, both groups achieved a significantly higher peak heart rate (untrained: 176.1±13.7 vs 167.5±16.8; trained: 170.7±11.6 vs 166.2±11.4bpm) and longer running time (untrained: 559.9±151.0 vs 434.4±140.3seconds; trained: 728.3±177.3 vs 667.1±176.1seconds). Despite longer exercise duration and higher peak exercise heart rate, average, and peak RPE were lower after the placebo drink (untrained: 12.1±2.3 vs 13.6±2.1; trained:10.0±1.8 vs 11.6±2.1), recovery time was shorter (untrained: 119.2±25.3 vs 133.2±23.7seconds; trained: 92.6±18.9 vs 102.7±18.3seconds). The placebo-induced change in running time and peak RPE were significantly greater prior to training. The significant information placebo effect is preserved in trained overweight children. Information, as well as other motivating aidsand fatigue distractors may be useful in enhancing physical performancein obese children.

Cognitive and Psycho-Social Effects of Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity has been declared as a global epidemic. Several studies have reported inverse associations of childhood obesity with cognitive and psycho-social functioning of obese children. The present study is an attempt to understand the cognitive and psycho-social aspects of childhood obesity in Indian context. The objective of the study was to compare the cognitive functions (memory, attention, and visual retention) and psychosocial functioning (body shape concerns and insecurity) of obese children with normal weight controls. The cross sectional research was carried out. Purposive sampling was used to collect the sample of 30 obese children and 30 normal weight children (controls) from schools in Delhi. The inclusion criteria for cases and controls were obese and normal weight children as per ICMR criteria, within the age range of 10-14 years. Children with previous history of head injury or other physical, medical or neurological problems, chronic medical illness and other metabolic disorders (diabetes and thyroid), were excluded from the study. All the children were assessed on cognitive functions (Digit symbol test and immediate memory test) and psycho-social functioning (Body Shape Questionnaire, Mohsen’s security insecurity questionnaire). The performance of obese children was found to be poor compared to normal weight children by using t-test. Obese children performed significantly poor on attention and visual retention and immediate memory for direct reciprocation. However, there was no significant difference on reverse immediate memory test. Obese children were also found to be more insecure compared to the normal weight controls about their body image. Obese children expressed high body shape concerns compared to normal weight counterparts. Findings suggest independent associations of specific cognitive and psycho-social aspects with childhood obesity that can be targeted for prevention and management of this global epidemic.

Effect of Treadmill Training on Ventilatory Functions and Physical Performance in Obese Children

Effect of Treadmill Training on Ventilatory Functions and Physical Performance in Obese Children

Effects of obstructive sleep apnea and obesity on exercise function in children.

Evaluate the relative contributions of weight status and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to cardiopulmonary exercise responses in children. Prospective, cross-sectional study. Participants underwent anthropometric measurements, overnight polysomnography, spirometry, cardiopulmonary exercise function testing on a cycle ergometer, and cardiac doppler imaging. OSA was defined as ≥ 1 obstructive apnea or hypopnea per hour of sleep (OAHI). The effect of OSA on exercise function was evaluated after the parameters were corrected for body mass index (BMI) z-scores. Similarly, the effect of obesity on exercise function was examined when the variables were adjusted for OAHI. Tertiary pediatric hospital. Healthy weight and obese children, aged 7-12 y. N/A. Seventy-one children were studied. In comparison with weight-matched children without OSA, children with OSA had a lower cardiac output, stroke volume index, heart rate, and oxygen consumption (VO2 peak) at peak exercise capacity. After adjusting for BMI z-score, children with OSA had 1.5 L/min (95% confidence interval -2.3 to -0.6 L/min; P = 0.001) lower cardiac output at peak exercise capacity, but minute ventilation and ventilatory responses to exercise were not affected. Obesity was only associated with physical deconditioning. Cardiac dysfunction was associated with the frequency of respiratory-related arousals, the severity of hypoxia, and heart rate during sleep. Children with OSA are exercise limited due to a reduced cardiac output and VO2 peak at peak exercise capacity, independent of their weight status. Comorbid OSA can further decrease exercise performance in obese children.

Supplementation with multiple micronutrients and polyunsaturated fatty acids does not improve school performance of obese children in a rural area of Mexico (811.23)

The study investigated the effect of nutrition education and supplementation with multiple micronutrients (MM) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the school performance of obese children in a rural area of Queretaro, Mexico. In a longitudinal, randomized, controlled trial, 134 children (6‐10 y) were assigned to one of two groups: a) 237mL/day of a supplement with MM and PUFA’s (SMP) and nutrition education; b) nutrition education alone (CON). All treatments were administered for 24 wks. Weight, height, waist circumference and body composition (by DXA) were measured at 0 and 24 wks. Diet was evaluated at the beginning and at the end of the study using 3 of 24h recalls. School performance was evaluated with school grades before and after the intervention, and with the CONNERS questionnaire applied to parents and teachers at 24 wks. Vitamins A and C intake at baseline was positively associated with Spanish, mathematics and overall grades (p&lt;0.05). There were no differences between groups in school performance at the end of the study. Also, no significant differences between groups were observed in the CONNERS evaluation of teachers or parents. In conclusion, nutrition education and supplementation with MM and PUFA’s does not improve school performance of obese children living in rural Mexico.Grant Funding Source: Supported by CONACYT

The relationships between intra-abdominal echogenicity, cardiometabolic risk factors and physical performance in obese children

While the abdominal adipose tissue has been identified as an important pathomarker for the cardiometabolic syndrome in adults, the relationships between the cardiometabolic risk factors and abdominal adipose morphology or physical performance levels have not been examined in children with obesity. Therefore, the specific aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between risk factors (BMI and physical activity levels and abdominal fat layers including subcutaneous, intra-abdominal preperitoneal and mesenteric fat thickness in children with obesity. 30 children with obesity (mean ± SD = 10.0 ± 4.5 yrs; 9 girls; BMI > 20) underwent physical performance (curl-ups, sit and reach, push-ups, and a 400-m run), ultrasound measurement of thickness of fat composition of the abdomen, blood pressure, oxygen consumption. Pearson correlation analysis showed significant correlations, ranging from -0.523- 0.898 between the intra-abdominal adipose tissue thickness, cardiometabolic risk factors (BMI, blood pressure, heart rate), and the curl-up physical performance test. In conclusion, the present study provides a compelling evidence that the intra-abdominal adipose tissue morphological characteristics were associated with BMI, physical performance, and most importantly cardiometabolic risk factors (blood pressure and heart rate), which eventually contribute to the development of cardiometabolic syndrome in adulthood.

Intervenção interdisciplinar na composição corporal e em testes de aptidão física de crianças obesas. DOI:10.5007/1980-0037.2012v14n2p134

Lifestyle changes are an important factor in the management and prevention of childhood obesity. The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of an exercise program (based on recreational activities) and nutritional counseling on body composition and physical fitness test performance in obese children. Forty-four children aged 8 to 11 years were divided into two gender- and age-matched groups, intervention (n = 22) and control (n = 22). Several parameters were measured before and after 12 weeks of participation in the program: weight, height, skinfold thickness (biceps, triceps, subscapular, suprailiac, abdominal and medial calf), circumferences (abdominal, arm, hip and calf) and the abdominal flexion and handgrip flexibility tests. The control group did not take part in the intervention. Thirty-two patients completed the study (16 in each group). The intervention group showed significant reductions in body mass index, triceps, subscapular and abdominal skinfold thickness, arm girth and sum of trunk skinfolds. There was a significant increase in right grip strength and abdominal strength. The control group showed a significant increase in body mass, waist circumference, subscapular and calf skinfold thickness, sum of trunk skinfolds, sum of limb skinfolds and arm and calf perimeters, as well as reduction in right hand grip strength. We conclude that the program was effective in reducing body fat and increasing physical fitness in children.

Breakfast skipping in prepubertal obese children: hormonal, metabolic and cognitive consequences

Skipping breakfast influences cognitive performance. The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between the variation of hormonal and metabolic postprandial parameters induced by breakfast consumption or fasting and cognitive performance in obese children. Cross-sectional study for repeated measures. Memory and attention assessment tests, hormones and nutrient oxidation were measured before and after consuming breakfast vs fasting in 10 prepubertal obese children. Fasting induced a significant (P<0.05) increase of the Overall Index of the Continuous Performance Test II (a global index of inattention) and the Test of Memory and Learning Word Selective Reminding (a test of verbal memory), whereas no changes were found after breakfast. Fasting was associated with a reduction of insulin and an increase in glucagon, with no changes in glucose. The increase in inattention was associated with a reduction of carbohydrate oxidation (ρ=-0.66, P<0.05). We found no difference in the area under the curve of peptide YY and glucagon-like peptide-1 after breakfast or fasting, whereas Ghrelin was significantly lower. No association between postprandial hormone variation and cognitive performance was found. Attention and visual memory performance in the morning were reduced when the children skipped breakfast. No association was found with hormones or metabolic changes, but we did find an association with a reduction of carbohydrate oxidation. Nevertheless, these preliminary findings need confirmation in larger sample size.

Progenitor cell number is correlated to physical performance in obese children and young adolescents

Juvenile obesity is associated with cardiovascular risk factors. In adults, cardiovascular risk factors and obesity are associated with a decreased number of endothelial progenitor cells. Higher physical fitness correlates with a lower cardiovascular morbidity and increased endothelial progenitor cells. CD34 positive, KDR/CD34, CD133/CD34, and CD117/CD34 double positive progenitor cells were measured in 24 obese children and adolescents - 15 female; age: 12.5 plus or minus 2.1 years, body mass index standard deviation score: 2.5 plus or minus 0.5, waist: 88.6 plus or minus 15.0 centimetre, body fat: 24.6 plus or minus 2.2% - participating in the CHILT III programme. Percentage body fat was assessed by skinfold thickness. Peak of oxygen uptake and the respiratory quotient were determined by spiroergometry. No gender differences were found. CD34 positive and CD117 positive/CD34 positive cells correlated with maximum relative watt performance, r is equal to 0.429 and 0.462; p-value less than 0.05. The peak of oxygen uptake correlated with CD34 positive and CD133 positive/CD34 positive cells, r is equal to 0.458 and 0.456; p-value less than 0.05, while no correlations were found between parameters of weight, body composition, and respiratory quotient with progenitor cells. A higher physical fitness, but not less body fat or body mass index is associated with a higher number of endothelial progenitor cells. These results support the hypothesis that physical fitness and cardiovascular risk in high-risk populations are inversely related. Further research is warranted to clarify the strength of this association and longitudinal effects of a comprehensive obesity programme.

The CEMHaVi Program

Obesity in children has increased in recent years. Many studies with differing methodologies have been undertaken to treat obesity. The Control, Evaluation, and Modification of Lifestyles in Obese Youth (CEMHaVi) program is a unique 2-year health-wellness program of physical activity and health education for obese youth. Findings of this study represent results at 1-year follow-up. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the CEMHaVi program. Physician-referred subjects (N = 26) participated in the study, 14 girls (13.4 +/- 2.9 years) and 12 boys (12.3 +/- 2.8 years). Measurements included height, weight, body mass index (BMI), academic performance, sleep habits, and health knowledge. The intervention consisted of a unique program of physical activity, including a variety of games specifically selected to be enjoyable, maintain interest, and motivate subjects to adhere. Activity sessions were offered once per week, 2 hours each session, for 12 months. A health education program was offered once every 3 months for 2 hours per session. Health knowledge, academic performance, self-esteem, and sleep were assessed before and after the intervention. Means were calculated at baseline and following intervention and were compared by paired t tests. Findings suggest significant improvements in academic performance (P < .001), quality and quantity of sleep (P < .05), and obesity (P < .05). The program reduced BMI and improved health knowledge, sleep, and academic performance in obese children. The feasibility of a beneficial lifestyle intervention program is encouraging in addressing obesity and related issues in young boys and girls.

Rendimiento Aeróbico en Niños Obesos de 6 a 10 Años

ABSTRACT Aerobic Performance in Obese Children of 6 to 10 Years Old Objective: To study the relationship between aerobic performance and nutritional state in children of 6-10years old. Method: Observational and cross-sectional design. A sample of 98 children (78 girls) attendingschool in the Metropolitan Region was taken. Of these, 47 were diagnosed as obese, 51 were used ascontrols. Aerobic performance was determined by distance walked (DW) in 6 minutes walk test (6MWT).Continuous measures of reserve heart rate (RHR) and subjective sense of fatigue (SSF) were taken. t orWilcoxon tests were used for comparison between groups, Pearson coefficient for correlations andmultiple regression to evaluate control variables. Significance level was set at p < 0.05. Results: DW in6MWT shows differences according to nutritional state (p < 0.0001), with a mean distance of 627.6 ± 24.5m in control children vs 560 ± 26.8 m in obese children; but these differences are independent of the genderand age variables. Values for RHR and SSF were similar for both groups except for SSF on the first minute.WD and body mass index showed inverse correlation (r = -0,58; p < 0.0001).