Search

Competing Interests: Disclosure The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

The main purpose of this study was to determine the association between the 6-min walk test distance (6MWTD) and physical functional capacity (PF) in primary care patients, as well as in obese individuals. We studied 351 subjects (age=56.8±14.6 years; BMI=29.4±5.7 kg/m(2); 68% women), including 141 obese subjects (BMI≥30 kg/m(2)), recruited in 10 different family practices. Physical (PCS) and mental component summary of the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and the 8 sub-scores were measured using the Short Form-36 Health Survey. Anthropometry, vital signs and physical testing were measured according to standardized protocols. Recreational physical activity (LPA) and sedentary levels were determined using the Canadian Community Health Survey. In a stepwise multivariate analysis, 65% of the 6MWTD variance was explained by PF of the HRQOL, age, quadriceps strength, number of chronic diseases, LPA categories, BMI, resting heart rate, PCS, height and TV-viewing categories in primary care subjects. In the obese individuals, PF, age, quadriceps strength and BMI explained 57% of the 6MWTD variance. In these 2 groups, 44% of the 6MWTD variance is explained by PF only. To conclude, the 6MWTD is strongly associated with PF of the HRQOL. Thus, it adequately reflects physical limitations in daily life activities of primary care patients, including obese individuals., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of weight gain and changes in adiposity distribution on insulin resistance and circulating adiponectin variations over 4 years in free-living normal weight young adults. In this prospective observational cohort (n=42 women, 18 men), anthropometric measurements and blood samples were collected in the fasting state at baseline and at 4 years. Insulin resistance was estimated using the homeostatic model assessment (HOMA-IR). Circulating adiponectin levels were determined by radioimmunoassay. To investigate increase in adiposity more specifically, subsidiary analyses were performed in a subgroup of individuals (n=31) who gained adiposity over the course of the 4-year follow-up (defined as gain >1% in percent body fat). Regression analyses were performed to adjust for sex, age, parental education, lifestyle, and fitness levels. At baseline, the participants were young adults (age=20.0 years old) in the normal weight range [body mass index (BMI)=22.7 kg/m2 (IQR=21.1-24.4)]. Median change in body fat percentage was +1.4% (IQR=-0.3-3.4; p=0.01) and in waist circumference was +1.2 cm (IQR=-2.6-5.3; p=0.05). In the subgroup of individuals who gained more than 1% body fat, increase in HOMA-IR was associated with an increase in BMI (r=0.44; p=0.01; p<0.01 in fully adjusted model), while decrease in adiponectin levels was associated with an increase in waist circumference (r=-0.38; p=0.03) but this was no longer significant after adjustment for sex and other potential confounders (p=0.14). In a population of young adults, small variations in adiposity within the normal weight range were associated with increase in insulin resistance., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is an inexpensive, quick and safe tool to evaluate the functional capacity of patients with heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The aim of this study was to determine the reproducibility of the 6MWT in overweight and obese individuals. We thus undertook a prospective repeated-measure validity study taking place in our academic weight management outpatient clinic. The 6MWT was conducted twice the same day in 21 overweight or obese adult subjects (15 females and 6 males). Repeatability of walking distance was the primary outcome. Anthropometric measures, blood pressure and heart rate were also recorded. Participant's mean BMI was 37.2+/-9.8 kg/m(2) (range: 27.0-62.3 kg/m(2)). Walking distance in the morning (mean=452+/-90 m) and in the afternoon (mean=458+/-97 m) were highly correlated (r=0.948; 95% Confidence Interval 0.877-0.978; p<0.001). Walking distance was negatively correlated with BMI (r=-0.47, p=0.03), waist circumference (r=-0.43, p=0.05) and pre-test heart rate (r=-0.54, p=0.01). Our findings indicate that the 6MWT is highly reproducible in obese subjects and could thus be used as a fitness indicator in clinical studies and clinical care in this population., (Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart New York.)