Energy Costs of 37 Physical Activities in Chinese Children and Adolescents Aged 9-17 Years with Obesity

Background/Objective: Obtaining data on the energy expenditure of physical activity (PA) in children and adolescents with obesity is crucial for promoting health in this population through exercise. However, relevant research is limited. This study aimed to determine the energy expenditure characteristics of 37 diverse PAs in children and adolescents with obesity and examine the association between obesity and energy expenditure (EE) characteristics within this cohort. Methods: Three hundred and ninety-seven children and adolescents with obesity aged 9-17 performed various PAs. PA intensity, EE, and body fat (BF) percentage were measured. Results: The resting oxygen uptake (VO2) and resting energy expenditure (REE) of children and adolescents with obesity were 4.23 (3.72-4.84) ml/kg/min and 0.020 (0.018-0.023) kcal/kg/min, respectively, with significant differences between boys and girls (p < 0.05). The metabolic equivalent of task (MET) values for the PAs ranged from 1.12 to 8.14 METs. Regression analyses revealed an inverse association with age, BMI, and percentage BF increased, with resting VO2, REE, and average PA energy expenditure (PAEE) during PAs. Conclusions: (1) Resting VO2 was lower in children and adolescents with obesity than those with normal weight and higher than in adults. (2) Of the measured PA intensities, 8 were light, 17 were moderate, and 5 were vigorous intensity. (3) The increase in the degree of obesity and age further decreased VO2 and EE both at rest and during PA. Our results can provide precise guidance for the exercise of children and adolescents with obesity and serve as a reference for the development of physical activity guidelines and compendiums. Future research should further diversify the types of PAs measured.