Impaired Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Muscle Strength in Children with Normal-Weight Obesity

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Dec 9;17(24):9198. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17249198.

Abstract

Despite the health-related implications of normal-weight obesity in children, very little research has explored the fundamental associations between this status and important long-term health parameters. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to investigate the physical fitness of children with normal-weight obesity, in comparison to normal-weight non obese and overweight and obese counterparts. A total of 328 middle-school-aged children (9.8 ± 0.5 y) took part in this study (n = 44 normal-weight obese; n = 237; normal-weight non obese; n = 47 overweight and obese). Height, weight, and body-fatness were measured. Four physical fitness tests were conducted: (1) Multistage fitness test; (2) shuttle run 4 × 10 m; (3) sit-ups for 60 s; (4) the broad jump. Welch's analysis of variance (ANOVA), stratified by sex, with post-hoc testing where necessary, was performed. Children with normal-weight obesity had significantly (p < 0.01) lower cardio-respiratory and muscular fitness than normal-weight non obese peers. In addition, normal-weight obese and overweight and obese boys had comparable deficits in strength and explosiveness of lower limbs, speed coordination, and endurance, compared to normal-weight non obese counterparts. Normal-weight obese children appear to have similar deficits in PF as their overweight and obese peers, compared to normal-weight non obese counterparts, whilst boys had larger deficits than girls.

Keywords: cardiorespiratory; children; muscle strength; normal-weight obesity; physical fitness.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Body Weight
  • Cardiorespiratory Fitness* / physiology
  • Child
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Muscle Strength* / physiology
  • Overweight / epidemiology
  • Pediatric Obesity* / epidemiology
  • Sex Factors