Pediatric Obesity and Sport

In a narrative review of 28 papers on pediatric obesity and sports participation, researchers from the Wake Forest (NC) School of Medicine identified 5 categories:

1. Increased incidence of musculoskeletal injury in obese children, hypothesized to be a result of changes in biomechanics
2. Gradual weight loss while maintaining hydration and nutrition for sport performance
3. Evidence of decreased fitness measures and cardiopulmonary conditioning
4. Exertional heat illness, especially in youth football
5. Differential diagnoses, with 3 identified for increased awareness: slipped capital femoral epiphysis, Blount’s disease, and pes planus.

The authors encouraged clinicians to be aware of these common musculoskeletal and sports-related conditions in children with obesity.

Source: Confroy K, et al. Pediatric obesity and sports medicine: a narrative review and clinical recommendations. Clin J Sport Med. 2020. doi: 10.1097/JSM.0000000000000839