Comparison of Performance in the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) between Overweight/Obese and Normal-Weight Children and Association with Haemodynamic Parameters: A Cross-Sectional Study in Four Primary Schools

Abstract

Physical activity plays a pivotal role in preventing obesity and cardiovascular risks. The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is a tool to assess functional capacity and predict cardiovascular events. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to compare the performance and haemodynamic parameters before and after a 6MWT between obese/overweight vs. normal-weight children (average age 8.7 ± 0.7 years) participating in a project involving four primary schools in South Verona (Italy). Validated questionnaires for physical activity and diet, as well as blood drops, were collected. Overweight or obese children (OW&OB; n = 100) covered a shorter 6MWT distance compared to normal-weight children (NW, n = 194). At the test’s conclusion, the OW&OB group exhibited a higher Rate Pulse Product (RPP = Systolic Blood Pressure × Heart Rate) as compared to the NW. Body Mass Index, waist-to-height ratio, fat mass by electrical impedance, and trans fatty acids showed direct correlations with pre and post-test haemodynamic parameters, such as RPP, and inverse correlations with oxygen saturation. OW&OB children demonstrated lower performance in this low-intensity exercise test, along with an elevated haemodynamic response. Excess fat in childhood can be considered a risk factor for haemodynamic stress, with potential deleterious consequences later in life. Efforts should be initiated early to break this cycle.