Body fat, fitness and level of everyday physical activity in adolescents and young adults with meningomyelocele.
OBJECTIVE
Data on body fat and fitness in adolescents and young adults with meningomyelocele are scarce. The aim of this study was to assess body fat and fitness in this patient group. In addition, we explored whether the level of everyday physical activity is related to body fat and fitness.


METHODS
Body fat (skinfold thickness), fitness (VO2peak), and everyday physical activity (Activity Monitor, based on accelerometry) were measured in 14 patients with meningomyelocele (8 men, 6 women; age range 14-26 years).


RESULTS
Peak VO2 was 20-30% lower than reference values and 4 patients were obese. Level of everyday activity was related to fitness (rs = 0.65, p = 0.01) but not to body fat.


CONCLUSIONS
Young patients with meningomyelocele are at risk for developing obesity and have a distinctly subnormal fitness. Level of everyday physical activity is related to fitness in this patient group.
van den Berg-Emons
Hendrika J G
HJ
Rijndam Rehabilitation Center, Netherlands. h.j.g.vandenberg@erasmusmc.nl
Bussmann
Johannes B J
JB
Meyerink
Huub J
HJ
Roebroeck
Marij E
ME
Stam
Henk J
HJ
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000502:physiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008591:Meningomyelocele / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D012885:Skinfold Thickness