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Cardiorespiratory and Metabolic Responses to Daily Activities in Children: Examining Sex Differences and Weight
Narinrat Somwhong1, Orawan Chareonphol1, Papatsorn Ramyarangsi1
1College of Sports Science and Technology, Salaya Campus, Mahidol University, Nakornpathom, Thailand.
Insights
Children with overweight and obesity show increased cardiorespiratory strain and metabolic demands during physical activity. Sex-specific differences were observed, highlighting the need for tailored interventions to improve respiratory and metabolic efficiency in pediatric obesity.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric exercise physiology
- Childhood obesity research
- Cardiorespiratory and metabolic health
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a global health concern with significant physiological implications.
- Understanding cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses to physical activity is crucial for managing pediatric obesity.
- Sex-specific differences in physiological responses may influence intervention effectiveness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses to various activities in children aged 6-12 years across different weight categories (normal weight, overweight, obesity).
- To investigate sex-specific differences in these responses.
- To inform the development of targeted interventions for pediatric obesity.
Main Methods:
- Eighty-four children aged 6-12 years were classified by weight status (normal weight, overweight, obesity) according to WHO criteria.
- Measurements included heart rate (HR), breathing frequency (BF), minute ventilation (VE), oxygen consumption (VO2), carbon dioxide production (VCO2), resting energy expenditure (REE), and metabolic equivalents (METs) during supine rest, sitting, standing, and walking.
- Statistical analyses compared physiological responses across weight and sex groups.
Main Results:
- Cardiorespiratory responses (HR, BF, VE) increased with activity intensity in all groups.
- Boys with overweight and obesity had higher HR than normal-weight boys, indicating greater cardiac strain.
- Children with obesity, especially girls, showed elevated VO2 and VCO2, signifying increased metabolic demands. Boys with overweight/obesity had reduced ventilatory efficiency (higher VE/VO2 and VE/VCO2 ratios) during low-intensity activities.
Conclusions:
- Obesity in children leads to increased cardiorespiratory strain and metabolic demands, with notable sex-specific variations.
- Interventions focusing on muscle strengthening and endurance exercises are vital for improving respiratory and metabolic efficiency and mitigating obesity-related strain, particularly in girls.
- Tailored, sex-specific strategies are essential for effectively addressing childhood obesity.
Aim:
This study examined cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses to activities (supine rest, sitting, standing and walking) in children aged 6-12 years with normal weight, overweight and obesity, focusing on sex-specific differences. Overweight and obesity were categorised per World Health Organization criteria, emphasising their global health impact.
Methods:
Eighty-four children were classified by weight status and assessed for heart rate (HR), breathing frequency (BF), minute ventilation (VE), oxygen consumption (VO2), carbon dioxide production (VCO2), resting energy expenditure (REE) and metabolic equivalents (METs) during each activity. Statistical analyses compared responses across weight and sex groups.
Results:
HR, BF and VE increased with activity intensity in all groups. Boys with overweight and boys with obesity had significantly higher HR than boys with normal weight, reflecting greater cardiac strain. VO2 and VCO2 were elevated in children with obesity, particularly girls, indicating increased metabolic demands. Boys with overweight and boys with obesity exhibited higher VE/VO2 and VE/VCO2 ratios during low-intensity activities, reflecting reduced ventilatory efficiency.
Conclusion:
Strategies targeting respiratory and metabolic efficiency, including muscle strengthening and endurance exercises, are crucial for mitigating obesity-related strain, particularly in girls. These findings highlight the need for tailored, sex-specific interventions to address obesity in children.
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