Effect of an Exercise Intervention Program on BMI and Distance Covered in the 6 Min Walking Test (6MWT) in Obese Children

Background/Objectives: Childhood obesity appears to be an alarmingly growing global threat. Current evidence has shown that obesity can be successfully managed with interventions targeting movement skills, motor coordination and physical activity. However, data concerning physiotherapy practice are...

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Main Authors: Ourania Papadopoulou, Evangelia Desli, Elisavet-Anna Chrysochoou, Christos Kogias, Vasileios Liakos, Athina Sopiadou, Petrina Vantsi, Ilias Kallistratos, Paris Iakovidis, Kiriaki Tsiroukidou, Elpis Hatziagorou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Children
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/12/1473
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author Ourania Papadopoulou
Evangelia Desli
Elisavet-Anna Chrysochoou
Christos Kogias
Vasileios Liakos
Athina Sopiadou
Petrina Vantsi
Ilias Kallistratos
Paris Iakovidis
Kiriaki Tsiroukidou
Elpis Hatziagorou
author_facet Ourania Papadopoulou
Evangelia Desli
Elisavet-Anna Chrysochoou
Christos Kogias
Vasileios Liakos
Athina Sopiadou
Petrina Vantsi
Ilias Kallistratos
Paris Iakovidis
Kiriaki Tsiroukidou
Elpis Hatziagorou
author_sort Ourania Papadopoulou
collection DOAJ
description Background/Objectives: Childhood obesity appears to be an alarmingly growing global threat. Current evidence has shown that obesity can be successfully managed with interventions targeting movement skills, motor coordination and physical activity. However, data concerning physiotherapy practice are limited. We aimed to assess the impact of therapeutic exercise on the 6-minute walk test (6-MWT) in obese children and adolescents. Methods: A total of 31 obese children and adolescents (BMI > 30 kg/m<sup>2</sup>), 18 males and 13 females, aged from 8 to 18 years, were enrolled. Two study groups were formed: the control group (Group A), comprising ten children; and the intervention group (Group B), comprising 21 children. Daily exercise habits were obtained via interview; anthropometric data (weight, height and BMI) were recorded; and 6-MWT parameters, blood pressure and oxygen saturation (SaO<sub>2</sub>) were assessed before and after a 4-month intervention program consisting of breathing and aerobic exercises. Results: There was a statistically significant increase in 6-minute walk distance (+43.34, <i>p</i> < 0.001) and an improvement in body weight (<i>p</i> < 0.01), blood pressure (<i>p</i> < 0.01) and oxygen saturation (<i>p</i> < 0.03) in Group B after the 4-month training program. Conclusions: All results highlight the potential of physical exercise in clinical practice to improve functional status and achieve weight loss. Future randomized controlled trials, including individualized therapeutic exercise programs in larger samples of obese children, are much anticipated.
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spelling doaj-art-20d39b8b41594235a89f938eac53021c2024-12-27T14:17:49ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672024-11-011112147310.3390/children11121473Effect of an Exercise Intervention Program on BMI and Distance Covered in the 6 Min Walking Test (6MWT) in Obese ChildrenOurania Papadopoulou0Evangelia Desli1Elisavet-Anna Chrysochoou2Christos Kogias3Vasileios Liakos4Athina Sopiadou5Petrina Vantsi6Ilias Kallistratos7Paris Iakovidis8Kiriaki Tsiroukidou9Elpis Hatziagorou10Department of Physiotherapy, International Hellenic University, 57400 Thessaloniki, GreecePediatric Pulmonology and CF Unit, 3rd Department of Pediatrics, Hippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, GreecePediatric Pulmonology and CF Unit, 3rd Department of Pediatrics, Hippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, GreecePediatric Pulmonology and CF Unit, 3rd Department of Pediatrics, Hippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, GreecePediatric Pulmonology and CF Unit, 3rd Department of Pediatrics, Hippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, GreecePediatric Pulmonology and CF Unit, 3rd Department of Pediatrics, Hippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, GreecePediatric Pulmonology and CF Unit, 3rd Department of Pediatrics, Hippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, GreeceDepartment of Physiotherapy, International Hellenic University, 57400 Thessaloniki, GreeceDepartment of Physiotherapy, International Hellenic University, 57400 Thessaloniki, GreecePediatric Pulmonology and CF Unit, 3rd Department of Pediatrics, Hippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, GreecePediatric Pulmonology and CF Unit, 3rd Department of Pediatrics, Hippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, GreeceBackground/Objectives: Childhood obesity appears to be an alarmingly growing global threat. Current evidence has shown that obesity can be successfully managed with interventions targeting movement skills, motor coordination and physical activity. However, data concerning physiotherapy practice are limited. We aimed to assess the impact of therapeutic exercise on the 6-minute walk test (6-MWT) in obese children and adolescents. Methods: A total of 31 obese children and adolescents (BMI > 30 kg/m<sup>2</sup>), 18 males and 13 females, aged from 8 to 18 years, were enrolled. Two study groups were formed: the control group (Group A), comprising ten children; and the intervention group (Group B), comprising 21 children. Daily exercise habits were obtained via interview; anthropometric data (weight, height and BMI) were recorded; and 6-MWT parameters, blood pressure and oxygen saturation (SaO<sub>2</sub>) were assessed before and after a 4-month intervention program consisting of breathing and aerobic exercises. Results: There was a statistically significant increase in 6-minute walk distance (+43.34, <i>p</i> < 0.001) and an improvement in body weight (<i>p</i> < 0.01), blood pressure (<i>p</i> < 0.01) and oxygen saturation (<i>p</i> < 0.03) in Group B after the 4-month training program. Conclusions: All results highlight the potential of physical exercise in clinical practice to improve functional status and achieve weight loss. Future randomized controlled trials, including individualized therapeutic exercise programs in larger samples of obese children, are much anticipated.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/12/1473physical activity6-minute walking testBMIobesitychildrenexercise
spellingShingle Ourania Papadopoulou
Evangelia Desli
Elisavet-Anna Chrysochoou
Christos Kogias
Vasileios Liakos
Athina Sopiadou
Petrina Vantsi
Ilias Kallistratos
Paris Iakovidis
Kiriaki Tsiroukidou
Elpis Hatziagorou
Effect of an Exercise Intervention Program on BMI and Distance Covered in the 6 Min Walking Test (6MWT) in Obese Children
Children
physical activity
6-minute walking test
BMI
obesity
children
exercise
title Effect of an Exercise Intervention Program on BMI and Distance Covered in the 6 Min Walking Test (6MWT) in Obese Children
title_full Effect of an Exercise Intervention Program on BMI and Distance Covered in the 6 Min Walking Test (6MWT) in Obese Children
title_fullStr Effect of an Exercise Intervention Program on BMI and Distance Covered in the 6 Min Walking Test (6MWT) in Obese Children
title_full_unstemmed Effect of an Exercise Intervention Program on BMI and Distance Covered in the 6 Min Walking Test (6MWT) in Obese Children
title_short Effect of an Exercise Intervention Program on BMI and Distance Covered in the 6 Min Walking Test (6MWT) in Obese Children
title_sort effect of an exercise intervention program on bmi and distance covered in the 6 min walking test 6mwt in obese children
topic physical activity
6-minute walking test
BMI
obesity
children
exercise
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/12/1473
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