The Effects of Passive Smoking on the Six-Minute Walk Test in Obese Pediatric Cases

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether exposure to second-hand smoke affected the six-minute walk test (6 MWT) of obese non-asthmatic pediatric cases. METHODS: Obese pediatric patients (body mass index >95th p) with no existing co-morbidities were included in the study. Smoke exposure was assessed with a self-reported questionnaire completed by the parents. The subjects were divided into two groups: Group 1 consisting of obese children exposed to passive smoking and Group 2 of obese children not exposed to passive smoking. In addition to 6 MWT, spirometric flow and volume, including forced expiratory volume in 1 s and peak expiratory flow rate, were also measured in all subjects. The results of the 6 MWT were assessed to determine any association with passive smoking. RESULTS: The study included 75 obese pediatric cases (40 male, 35 female) with a mean age of 9.06 ± 0.97 years. The 6 MWT results in Group 1 was 501.88 ± 62.12 meters and in Group 2 559.63 ± 72.93 meters. The difference was statistically significant (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Passive smoking may negatively affect the respiratory and cardiovascular capacity in obese children, who are already at risk of lower cardiopulmonary function. The evaluation of 6 MWT in these pediatric patients may be useful for monitoring and families should be warned about potential problems due to smoking.