Self-Perceived Physical Level and Fitness Performance in Children and Adolescents with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients show a higher risk of developing metabolic and cardiovascular diseases due to the presence of systemic low-grade chronic inflammation. Exercise can improve cardiovascular fitness and modulate the inflammatory processes. We evaluated the physical activity (PA) level and the fitness performance of children and adolescents with IBD. Patients and methods: We considered 54 pediatric patients with IBD (14.6 ± 2.2; 22 M), including CD (n = 27) UC (n = 24) and IBD unclassified (n = 3), and 70 healthy children. In all children, the Physical Activity Questionnaire (PAQ-C) and the International Fitness Enjoyment Scale were self-reported and recorded. Results: PAQ-C showed significant difference in PA levels in patients with IBD compared to controls ( p < 0.001). A decrease in general fitness ( p = 0.003), cardiorespiratory fitness ( p = 0.002), strength ( p = 0.01), speed agility ( p = 0.003), and flexibility ( p = 0.01) were also detected between patients and controls. Speed agility was related to age ( p = 0.02) and BMI z-score ( p = 0.01), and flexibility to BMI z-score ( p = 0.05). We noted a correlation between PA levels and physician global assessment ( p = 0.021) and activity disease severity ( p = 0.025). Conclusions: A poorer PA level and poor physical competence were found in patients with IBD compared to healthy children and adolescents. Monitored exercise could provide multiple benefits at both physical and psychological levels.

Physical activity, quality of diet and bone mineral density in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

“…In our study, we did not find any differences in the time of PA among CD, UC and CGs. However, children with IBD present lower PA when compared with healthy children 29 . We found a positive correlation between vigorous and total PA and BMD and T ‐ and Z ‐scores of L1–L4.…”

“…However, children with IBD present lower PA when compared with healthy children. 29 We found a positive correlation between vigorous and total PA and BMD and T-and Z-scores of L1-L4. Interestingly, PA correlated positively with body mass in CD and IBD groups.…”

The Effect of Healthy Lifestyle Strategies on the Management of Insulin Resistance in Children and Adolescents with Obesity: A Narrative Review

“…Although exercise provides multiple health benefits for children and adolescents with obesity, the main problem in this population is the promotion of an active lifestyle and adherence to exercise programs. In fact, children with obesity tend to have a lower perception of their ability to perform exercise [ 100 , 101 ] and this decreased self-confidence leads children and adolescents to avoid highly competitive activities or settings. For this reason, several studies have investigated new modalities to increase adherence to exercise, and some studies highlighted the efficacy of exergames and online supervised training in lowering the dropout rate and promoting a healthy lifestyle compared to regular training modalities in children with obesity [ 102 , 103 ].…”