[Impact of obesity on the functional capacity of women]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the functional capacity of obese, overweight and eutrophic women.

An analytical cross study involved 90 adult women from 40 to 60 years of age, distributed in three groups: eutrophic (n=30), overweight (n=30) and obese (n=30).Patients were interviewed by means of the specific health related quality of life questionnaire, Stanford Health Questionnaire (HAQ-20). They were also submitted to an exercise test to compare the maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) among the three groups. Statistical analysis included the chi-square test, the Kruskal Wallis variance analysis and the Spearman and Pearson correlations for p= 0.05.

The group of obese women presented HAQ-20 (0.375) score rates significantly higher (p<0.05) than the other groups (0), reflecting lesser functional capacity. The obese group presented VO2max score rates (25.8+/-5.0ml/kg/min), significantly lower (p<0.001) than the overweight (29.9+/-6.1ml/kg/min) and eutrophic (33.8+/-4,1ml/kg/min) groups, indicating a poorer cardio respiratory aptitude. There was no significant difference between the eutrophic and overweight VO2max and HAQ-20 score rates. Hypertension was more frequent among obese women (p=0.012) who also presented a lower level of schooling p= 0.026).

Obese women presented a poorer physical aptitude and lesser functional capacity in relation to those in the eutrophic and overweight groups Furthermore, the obese also exhibited a worse prognosis for cardiovascular disease.