title: Influence of weight classification on children stepping over obstacles.
abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate how weight classification relates to meeting task constraints. Using a cross-sectional design, three-dimensional motion data were collected while children crossed obstacles of various heights. Twelve normal-weight (≥5th and <85th percentile on growth charts) and 12 overweight or obese (≥85th percentile on growth charts) 4- to 13-yr-olds participated. During obstacle crossing, children who were overweight or obese took longer to reach maximum knee height and to achieve foot contact (all P = 0.04). Normal-weight children landed flat-footed after obstacle crossing whereas overweight and obese children landed heel first (P = 0.04). Children had higher coefficients of variation for ankle position at heel contact after crossing medium obstacles (P = 0.02). Slower rates of obstacle crossing and landing heel first after crossing obstacles could be behind higher risks of falls for children who are overweight or obese.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, Boston University College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College, Massachusetts 02215, USA.
authors.forename: Simone V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Gill
authors.forename: Ya-Ching
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Hung
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D050177:Overweight / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013997:Time Factors; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*