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Updated: Jun 17, 2026
09:36
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Obesity: the new childhood disability?
M D Tsiros1, A M Coates, P R C Howe
1Nutritional Physiology Research Centre, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia.
Summary
Childhood obesity negatively impacts children's physical functioning, including fitness and motor skills. More research is needed to understand obesity's effects on activity and participation in children.
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.
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