Cardiovascular Fitness in Obese Versus Nonobese 8–11-Year-Old Boys and Girls

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare cardiovascular fitness between obese and nonobese children. Based on body mass index, 118 were classified as obese (boys [OB] = 62, girls [OG] = 56), while 421 were nonobese (boys [NOB] = 196, girls [NOG] = 225). Cardiovascular fitness was determined by a 1-mile [1.6 km] run/walk (MRW) and estimated peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) and analyzed using two-way analyses of variance (Gender x Obese/Nonobese). MRW times were significantly faster (p < .05) for the NOB (10 min 34 s) compared to the OB (13 min 8 s) and the NOG (13 min 15 s.) compared to the OG (14 min 44 s.). Predicted VO2peak values (mL x kg(-1) x min(-1)) were significantly higher (p < .05) for the NOB (48.29) compared to the OB (41.56) and the NOG (45.99) compared to the OG (42.13). MRW was compared between obese and nonobese participants on the President's Challenge (2005), the National Children and Youth Fitness Study, and FITNESSGRAM HFZ standards. The nonobese boys and girls scored higher on all three, exhibiting better cardiovascular fitness as compared to obese counterparts.

Weight Status, Physical Activity, and Fitness Among Third-Grade Rural Children

“…Similar results were found in a study of 2927 children aged 5‐13 where the performance of overweight children on an endurance run test was significantly lower compared to healthy‐weight children 12 . Moreover, failing the cardiovascular test represented a major predictor of obesity among girls in the sample, a relationship that has been well established among children and adolescents in previous studies 49 . These findings bear on PE curriculum planning in that it is important to plan activities that enhance all components of physical fitness, and children's cardiovascular endurance in particular.…”

A Cross-sectional Study to Examine the Association Between Dietary Patterns and Risk of Overweight and Obesity in Hong Kong Chinese Adolescents Aged 10–12 Years

“…The results were compatible with observations from other studies showing that overweight and obese youngsters tended to have poorer cardiovascular fitness than their normal-weight counterparts [32,33]. In view of the reporting bias of self-reported physical activity measures, we used cardiovascular fitness as a proxy and objective measure of physical activity in the study.…”

Physical Activity and Obesity: Biomechanical and Physiological Key Concepts

“…Mastrangelo et al [53] examined the running performance of OB children using a 1.6 km walk-run test and found that the running performance of OB children is lower. Significant differences were noted in terms of the body weight status when the minute oxygen consumption in ml per kg of body weight (48.3 in NW boys versus 41.6 in OB boys and 46.0 in NW girls versus 42.1 in OB girls) or the time to cover the distance (10 min, 34 sec in NW boys versus 13 min, 8 sec in OB boys and 13 min, 15 sec in NW girls versus 14 min, 44 sec in OB girls) composed the performance indicators.…”