Exercise intolerance in obese children--is it asthma?
Robert A Kaslovsky1, Stephen B Sondike, Stephanie Cummings
1Pediatric Pulmonary Division, Baystate Children's Hospital, Springfield, MA, USA.
The West Virginia Medical Journal
|September 21, 2011
Summary
Nearly half of obese children experiencing exercise-induced breathlessness were diagnosed with asthma. Early asthma detection and treatment in this population may improve exercise capacity and weight management.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Obesity Medicine
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Obesity is a growing public health concern in children.
- Exertional dyspnea is a common complaint among obese children.
- Asthma is a potential underlying cause of exertional dyspnea, but often underdiagnosed in this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of asthma in obese children presenting with exertional dyspnea.
- To investigate the diagnostic utility of spirometry and exercise testing in this cohort.
Main Methods:
- Pilot study enrolling 20 obese children (ages 8-16) with exertional dyspnea who denied prior asthma diagnosis.
- Spirometry with bronchodilator challenge was performed.
- Exercise testing was conducted if spirometry showed no significant improvement or was normal.
Main Results:
- Of 19 participants who completed the study, 9 (47.3%) met the criteria for asthma.
- This suggests a high prevalence of undiagnosed asthma in obese children with exertional symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Asthma is frequently undiagnosed in obese children with exertional dyspnea.
- Early identification and management of asthma in this group may enhance exercise tolerance and aid in weight management efforts.
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