Marginal malnutrition in school-aged Colombian boys: efficiency of treadmill walking in submaximal exercise

Measurements of oxygen consumption (VO2) were made during submaximal treadmill exercise (3.5 mph) in 658 boys 6 to 16 yr of age classified as nutritionally normal, low weight for age, and low weight for height. Gross efficiency (at 15% grade) increased with age and was significantly lower in low weight for age and height boys than in normal children but delta efficiency showed no statistically significant differences between nutritional groups. It is concluded that marginal malnutrition has no effect on the efficiency of submaximal work during treadmill walking.