Obesity: the new childhood disability?

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Childhood obesity is a growing global health concern.
• Physical functioning is crucial for children's development and well-being.
• The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) provides a framework for assessing health and disability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the impact of obesity on paediatric physical functioning using the ICF framework.
• To identify deficits in body functions, activities, and participation associated with childhood obesity.
• To highlight gaps in research regarding the broader impacts of paediatric obesity.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review of peer-reviewed studies published in English before May 2009.
• Searched electronic databases for studies on physical functioning in children (≤18 years) with obesity.
• Synthesized findings from 104 eligible studies descriptively, ranked by study design.

Main Results:

• Childhood obesity is linked to impaired cardiorespiratory fitness and motor task performance.
• Limited evidence suggests increased musculoskeletal pain, reduced muscle strength, and poorer gait and balance in obese children.
• Health-related quality of life and physical functioning were inversely related to weight status.

Conclusions:

• Obesity in children significantly affects physical functioning, particularly cardiorespiratory and motor skills.
• There is a lack of research on how childhood obesity impacts broader activities and participation.
• Further research using the ICF framework is essential to develop targeted interventions for pediatric obesity-related disability.