The Effects of Passive Smoking on the Six-Minute Walk Test in Obese Pediatric Cases

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether exposure to second-hand smoke affected the six-minute walk test (6MWT) of obese non-asthmatic pediatric cases.Methods: Obese pediatric patients (body mass index >95th p) with no existing co-morbidities were included in the study. Smoke exposure was assessed with a self-reported questionnaire completed by the parents. The subjects were divided into two groups: Group 1 consisting of obese children exposed to passive smoking and Group 2 of obese children not exposed to passive smoking. In addition to 6MWT, spirometric flow and volume, including forced expiratory volume in 1 s and peak expiratory flow rate, were also measured in all subjects. The results of the 6MWT were assessed to determine any association with passive smoking.Results: The study included 75 obese pediatric cases (40 male, 35 female) with a mean age of 9.06±0.97 years. The 6MWT results in Group 1 was 501.88±62.12 meters and in Group 2 559.63±72.93 meters. The difference was statistically significant (p=0.001).Conclusions: Passive smoking may negatively affect the respiratory and cardiovascular capacity in obese children, who are already at risk of lower cardiopulmonary function. The evaluation of 6MWT in these pediatric patients may be useful for monitoring and families should be warned about potential problems due to smoking.

Associations between Second-Hand Tobacco Smoke Exposure and Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Physical Activity, and Respiratory Health in Children

“…Although no prior research has yet examined the impact of SHS exposure on children’s laboratory measured VO 2peak , the results are in line with Magnússon et al [ 38 ], who have found children’s CRF (measured by maximal cycle ergometer test) to be significantly reduced for those with smoking parents. Kaymaz et al [ 40 ] have also shown that children exposed to parental smoking have reduced performance on the six-minute walk test. The mechanism by which SHS exposure reduces VO 2peak cannot be determined from the present study, but key components of tobacco smoke such as CO and particulate matter have each been shown to individually impact CRF.…”

“…For children and young people, research is limited. Of the research that exists, studies have found children’s CRF (measured by maximal cycle ergometer test) to be significantly reduced for those with smoking parents [ 38 ], adolescents exposed to SHS to have increased systolic blood pressure whilst exercising [ 39 ], and obese children exposed to SHS were found to have reduced performance on a six-minute walk test [ 40 ]. PA has been shown to reduce adolescent smoking uptake [ 41 ] and aid cessation [ 42 ], but there is limited research exploring the association between SHS exposure, or having a smoking family member, on children’s engagement in PA. Further research is therefore required to examine the association between SHS exposure, cardiorespiratory fitness, and PA in children.…”

Children of Smoking and Non-Smoking Households’ Perceptions of Physical Activity, Cardiorespiratory Fitness, and Exercise

“…Exposed children are at increased risk of chronic airway inflammation, lung function defects [ 45 ], severe asthma attacks, respiratory infections, ear infections, sudden infant death syndrome [ 46 ], and increased risk of hospitalisation in asthmatics [ 47 ]. The negative health effects of SHS exposure have physiological implications for PA and CRF, with SHS exposure associated with reduced exercise performance [ 48 , 49 , 50 ] and increased blood pressure in exercising adolescents [ 51 , 52 ]. Children from smoking households could therefore be at greater risk of low fitness and the associated health consequences.…”

Wearable Cardiopulmonary Function Evaluation System for Six-Minute Walking Test

“…As a submaximal exercise test, the 6-minute walking test (6MWT) can be a suitable index for the exercise capacity of patients with respiratory problems [1,2]. The 6MWT is a simple and inexpensive test that provides the global and integrated response of pulmonary and nonpulmonary factors [3,4].…”