Effects of obesity on upper extremity range of motion in children

Correspondence: Fırat Erdoğan, MD. Özel İstanbul Medipol Hastanesi, Çocuk Hastalıkları Bölümü, 34718 Kadıköy, İstanbul, Turkey. Tel: +90 533 642 54 80 e-mail: firaterdogan34@gmail.com ABSTRACT Objectives: This study aims to assess the effects of obesity on upper extremity range of motion in children. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study covers 153 participants (85 boys, 68 girls; mean age 8.3±3.6 years; range 2 to 16 years) admitted in the pediatrics clinic of our hospital between January 2014 and December 2015. We evaluated the participants’ body mass indexes (BMI) according to the percentile chart recommended by World Health Organization and they were divided into three groups as normal weight (n=53), overweight (n=50) and obese (n=50). We measured the participants’ upper extremity ranges of motion (ROM) elbow extension and flexion angles, carrying angle and shoulder abduction angle by using a standard 12-inch plastic goniometer. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the right and left joint angle measurements. No relationship was found between the age and flexion moment in each BMI groups. We found significant difference between BMI percentile and elbow extension and ROM levels, however there was no statistically significant difference between the gender and ROM measurements. No statistical difference was determined in terms of ROM in any joint in either between the groups of normal weight and overweight or between the overweight and obese groups. Although there was no significant difference at flexion angle measurements between normal weight and obese groups, we found statistically significant difference in extension angle measurements. Conclusion: Obesity causing restricted movement in the upper extremities may lead children to a more sedentary lifestyle by reducing their will to participate in daily activities such as sports and games. Therefore children with decreased energy expenditure will have weight gain trends and their obesity problems will deepen.