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- Title
A Comparative Study of Cardiovascular Fitness in Normal Versus Obese Children.
- Authors
Baxi, Gaurang D.; Palekar, Tushar J.; Vijayakumar, M.; Jaiswal, Varoon C.
- Abstract
Introduction: Childhood overweight and obesity are dramatically increasing worldwide. Overweight or obese children are at a high risk of experiencing a range of co-morbidities affecting almost every body system. Environmental factors such as diet, physical activity and metabolic status are major contributors to obesity. Physical activity among children has declined in recent decades and the corresponding increase in obesity prevalence may be the direct result of this decline. An important component of physical fitness is cardiorespiratory endurance or cardiorespiratory fitness. This study was done to evaluatecardiovascular fitness in children and to compare it between normal and obese children. Methods: 102 boys in the age group of 9-11 years, studying in nearby schools in were taken for the study. The height and weight were taken and the Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated.According to their BMI, they were divided into three groups-normal,overweight or obese. The children were then made to run the Cooper 12 minute run test. The distance covered in 12 minutes was noted. The VO2 max was calculated using prediction equation for the Cooper 12 minute run test. The data of children having a normal BMI was then compared against those having a BMI falling into the overweight or obese category. Inter and intra group analysis was done. Results: The results of this study showed a significant reduction of 33.87% in the cardiovascular fitness levels of overweight and obese boys, as compared to those with a normal BMI. Also, the children having a normal BMI also did not have adequate fitness levels. Conclusion: Cardiovascular fitness of overweight and obese boys in the age group of 9 to 11 years is significantly less as compared to those boys having a normal BMI. Also, those boys having a normal BMI did not have recommended fitness levels. Further research has to be carried out to find out fitness standards for Indian children.
- Subjects
CARDIOVASCULAR fitness; PHYSICAL fitness research; CARDIOPULMONARY fitness; CHILDHOOD obesity; CHILDREN'S health
- Publication
Indian Journal of Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy, 2011, Vol 5, Issue 3, p161
- ISSN
0973-5674
- Publication type
Article