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  • Pediatric Original Article
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Six-minute walking test predicts maximal fat oxidation in obese children

International Journal of Obesity volume 36, pages 908–913 (2012)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background:

Obesity is associated with reduced exercise maximal fat oxidation rate (FATmax), which is generally assessed by cardiopulmonary cycling test. The six-minute walking test (6MWT) presents an alternative method in patients.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to establish a practical reference equation facilitating the prediction of FATmax from the 6MWT in obese children of both genders.

Design:

This study is a cross-sectional study using mixed linear and multiple regression models.

Research methods and procedures:

Anthropometric measurements were recorded and submaximal cycling test and 6MWT conducted for 131 school-aged obese children, 68 boys and 63 girls. A multiple regression analysis for FATmax, including six-minute walking distance (6MWD), anthropometric and cardiac parameters as the dependent variables, was performed for the two genders separately.

Results:

Mean 6MWD and FATmax were 564.9±53.7 m and 126.5±12.1 mg min−1 for boys and 506.7±55.0 m and 120.7±10.0 mg min−1 for girls, respectively. The 6MWD, body mass index, Z-score, fat-free mass, waist and hip circumferences (WC and HC), rest heart rate, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures were highly correlated with FATmax for both genders. There was a significant correlation between 6MWD and FATmax in both boys and girls (r=0.88 and r=0.81, P<0.001, respectively). Stepwise regression analyses revealed that the combinations of 6MWD with HC for boys and 6MWD with WC for girls improved the predictability of the model (R2=0.81 for boys and R2=0.72 for girls; P<0.001).

Conclusion:

In obese children, the 6MWT can be used to predict FATmax when formal test of exercise capacity and gas exchange analysis are unavailable or impractical. It is therefore possible to prescript targeted exercises at FATmax, without performing indirect calorimetry, just from a field test.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Tunisia. We thank adolescents and their parents for their strong cooperation and availability.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Cardio-circulatory, Respiratory, and Hormonal Adaptations to Muscular Exercise, Faculty of Medicine Ibn El Jazzar, Sousse, Tunisia

    E Makni, W Moalla, Y Trabelsi, Z Tabka & M Elloumi

  2. Clermont University Blaise Pascal, Laboratory BAPS, Clermont-Ferrand, France

    G Lac & M Elloumi

  3. U1046, INSERM, University of Montpellier 1, University of Montpellier 2, and CHRU Montpellier, Montpellier, France

    J F Brun

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  1. E Makni
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Correspondence to M Elloumi.

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Makni, E., Moalla, W., Trabelsi, Y. et al. Six-minute walking test predicts maximal fat oxidation in obese children. Int J Obes 36, 908–913 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2011.257

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