Self-Perceived Physical Level and Fitness Performance in Children and Adolescents with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
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Published on: August 22, 2012
Francesca Penagini1, Valeria Calcaterra1,2, Dario Dilillo1
1Pediatric Department, "Vittore Buzzi" Children's Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy.
Insights
Children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have lower physical activity levels and fitness compared to healthy peers. Regular exercise may offer significant physical and psychological benefits for IBD patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Sports Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is linked to chronic inflammation, increasing risks for metabolic and cardiovascular issues.
- Exercise is known to improve cardiovascular health and manage inflammatory processes.
- Understanding physical activity (PA) and fitness in pediatric IBD is crucial for management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the physical activity (PA) levels and fitness performance in children and adolescents diagnosed with IBD.
- To compare PA and fitness metrics between pediatric IBD patients and healthy controls.
- To explore correlations between PA, fitness, and disease characteristics in IBD.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 54 pediatric IBD patients (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, IBD unclassified) and 70 healthy children were studied.
- Physical Activity Questionnaire (PAQ-C) and International Fitness Enjoyment Scale were administered.
- Fitness assessments included general fitness, cardiorespiratory fitness, strength, speed agility, and flexibility.
Main Results:
- IBD patients exhibited significantly lower PA levels compared to controls (p < 0.001).
- Reduced general fitness, cardiorespiratory fitness, strength, speed agility, and flexibility were observed in IBD patients (p < 0.05).
- PA levels correlated with disease severity and physician global assessment (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Pediatric patients with IBD demonstrate poorer physical activity levels and physical competence than their healthy counterparts.
- These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to improve physical well-being in young IBD patients.
- Supervised exercise programs hold potential for substantial physical and psychological benefits in managing IBD.
Abstract:
Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients show a higher risk of developing metabolic and cardiovascular diseases due to the presence of systemic low-grade chronic inflammation. Exercise can improve cardiovascular fitness and modulate the inflammatory processes. We evaluated the physical activity (PA) level and the fitness performance of children and adolescents with IBD. Patients and methods: We considered 54 pediatric patients with IBD (14.6 ± 2.2; 22 M), including CD (n = 27) UC (n = 24) and IBD unclassified (n = 3), and 70 healthy children. In all children, the Physical Activity Questionnaire (PAQ-C) and the International Fitness Enjoyment Scale were self-reported and recorded. Results: PAQ-C showed significant difference in PA levels in patients with IBD compared to controls (p < 0.001). A decrease in general fitness (p = 0.003), cardiorespiratory fitness (p = 0.002), strength (p = 0.01), speed agility (p = 0.003), and flexibility (p = 0.01) were also detected between patients and controls. Speed agility was related to age (p = 0.02) and BMI z-score (p = 0.01), and flexibility to BMI z-score (p = 0.05). We noted a correlation between PA levels and physician global assessment (p = 0.021) and activity disease severity (p = 0.025). Conclusions: A poorer PA level and poor physical competence were found in patients with IBD compared to healthy children and adolescents. Monitored exercise could provide multiple benefits at both physical and psychological levels.
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