Substrate Utilization During Submaximal Exercise in Children with a Severely Obese Mother and Response to Exercise Training

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare fat metabolism during submaximal exercise in children with a severely obese mother (BMI[greater than or equal to]35 kg/m2) to children with a lean, non-obese mother (BMI[less than or equal to]30 kg/m2). All participants (n=15) completed two maximal exercise tests as well as a submaximal exercise test at a relative (65%VO2Max) and absolute (15W) workload and a respiratory exchange ratio (RER) was measured via indirect calorimetry. After initial testing, subjects performed an exercise intervention consisting of three hour-long visits a week for four weeks. There were no differences in RER between groups prior to the exercise intervention during submaximal exercise, however, there was a significant time effect following the exercise intervention. Regardless of maternal obesity status, both groups had a significant (p[less than]0.05) increase in fat utilization at the relative workload of 65%VO2Max following the exercise intervention. This finding is supportive of earlier data that is indicative of exercise being able to treat and correct decrements in FAO. However, there was not enough evidence in the current study to suggest that there is a genetic or epigenetic component responsible for the reduction in FAO in children with a severely obese mother.