Assessment of Autonomic Function Activity in Obese Children

There is much evidence regarding autonomic dysfunction in obesity in adults, but information on autonomic status in obese children is scant. In the present study autonomic function tests were conducted in 30 normal and 30 obese children aged between 5 and 10 years. We performed tests for parasympathetic function (resting heart rate, S:L ratio (standing to lying ratio), 30:15 ratio and Valsalva ratio) and tests to assess sympathetic function (blood pressure response to hand grip test and cold pressor response). The children were classified as normal and obese on the basis of BMI (body mass index). Children with BMI between 20 to 24.9 were classified as normal and those with BMI > 30 as obese. The mean values of hand grip test and cold pressor response were significantly lower in the study group compared with controls (P < 0.05), however the Valsalva ratio was higher in the obese compared with normal children. Hence, our study showed compromised autonomic nervous system functions in the obese group compared with controls