title: Fractal correlation of heart rate variability in obese children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The loss of variability and fractal properties in the heart rate is related to greater morbidity and mortality rates.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to analyze heart rate dynamics in obese children by measuring short and long-term fractal exponents and heart rate variability (HRV) indices.
  
  
  METHODS
  112 male and female children aged 8 to 12 years were divided into two groups based on body mass index: obese (n=51) and normal weight range (n=61). Heart rate was monitored beat-to-beat in the dorsal decubitus position for 20 min, analyzing the low frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF) spectral indices in normalized units and ms(2) as well as short and long-term fractal exponents (alpha-1 and alpha-2) of the detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA). The non-paired Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney test were used for the statistical analysis, with the level of significance set at P< or =0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The following were lower in the obese children: alpha-1 exponent value (0.930+/-0.14 vs. 0.992+/-0.11; P=0.012), LF index (219.0 vs. 361.0; P=0.001) and HF index (175.0 vs. 227.0; P=0.019) in ms(2). No significant differences between groups were found for the alpha-2 exponent, LF and HF indices in normalized units or LF/HF ratio.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The obese children exhibited a reduction in short-term fractal correlation properties in heart frequency dynamics associated to a reduction in both sympathetic and parasympathetic activities, thereby demonstrating a need for early treatment for these children in order to avoid future complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Univ Estadual Paulista, Campus of Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, Brazil. lcmvanderlei@fct.unesp.br
authors.forename: Luiz Carlos Marques
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Vanderlei
authors.forename: Carlos Marcelo
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Pastre
authors.forename: Ismael Forte Freitas
authors.initials: IF
authors.lastname: Júnior
authors.forename: Moacir Fernandes
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: de Godoy
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D017709:Fractals; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology*