The Importance of Risk Stratification and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Pediatric Obesity

Abstract

Ninety-four children (age 8-17 yrs; BMI ≥ 95th percentile) were staged according to their risk profile in manuscript one by the Edmonton Obesity Staging System for Pediatrics (EOSS-P) based on metabolic, mechanical, mental and/or family risk factors. Children completed a maximal treadmill test yielding VO2peak data (mlO2/kg/min). Children were stratified into three groups: (Stage 1 n=28; Stage 2 n=47; Stage 3 n=19). VO2peak was significantly lower in Stage 3 (p = 0.02) compared to Stages 1 and 2. Children were re-stratified into three groups for manuscript two without the family category of the EOSS-P applied: Low Risk (LR) (n=40); Elevated Risk (ER) (n=45); and High Risk (HR) (n=9). VO2peak was significantly lower in the HR group (p = 0.04) compared to the LR group. Stage 3/HR children (highest risk category) in both manuscripts displayed the lowest levels of cardiorespiratory fitness, suggesting an increased risk for complications associated with pediatric obesity.