Adaptive capabilities of adolescents with obesity during wartime

Objective — to determine the level of adaptative capabilities of adolescents with obesity who are in the front­-line region, and to justify the amount of motor activity in accordance with their level. Materials and methods. 129 adolescents aged 10—18, residents of the Kharkiv region (88 boys and 41 girls) were examined. The physical development of patients was assessed (height, weight, body mass index), heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure at rest and after exercise, tolerance to physical exertion by Ruffier’s test and the paired «6-­minute walk» test were determined, and the initial vegetative tone (Kerdo index) and functional change index. Results and discussion. Adolescents with obesity (3.7 times more likely than adolescents with an average weight) noted the deterioration of their health since the beginning of the war. 23.5 % of them noted that they had increased their weight, 29.4 % felt fear and constant anxiety. Obese adolescents had significantly higher heart rate and blood pressure compared to their age-­ and sex­-matched peers. 70.0 % of obese patients had initial sympathicotonia, and 88.0 % had strained adaptative capabilities, and 6.0 % had unsatisfactory adaptation. Decreased tolerance to physical exertion was observed in 86.7 % of obese adolescents, while a significant frequency (37.8 %) of unsatisfactory results was registered. Obese teenagers covered less distance in a 6­-minute walk than their average­weight peers (p < 0.01). 37.5 % of obese adolescents noted an indifferent attitude to physical activity (PA). However, all subjects, regardless of body weight, noted that they are ready to increase their own motor activity. Conclusions. Adolescents with obesity who have a state of tension or unsatisfactory adaptation need individual programs to increase motor activity. Steps to increase physical activity and self-­organization of obese adolescents in modern conditions are proposed, which include the intensity, types duration of activity and taking into account the adaptation capabilities of adolescents.