Abstract

Background: 6-min walk test is a very useful, reliable, safe, and easy to administer assessment tool for the functional capacity of overweight and obese individuals.

Objectives: Aim of study to see the effect of increased body weight on 6-minute walk distance (MWD) in overweight and obese individuals and compare with normal subjects of the same age group (20–60 years). Work of walking and VO2max were also calculated and compared between the groups to assess the aerobic fitness of the subjects.

Materials and Methods: 6-min walk test was performed in 60 overweight and obese subjects in the age group of 20–60 years and 30 normal age-matched subjects taken as controls. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS Software Version 17. Data were analyzed with unpaired t-test and one-way analysis of variance; P < 0.05 was taken as significant.

Results: The 6 MWD covered by obese Class I (543.7 ± 48.30 mts) and obese Class II (504.67 ± 42.23 mts) was significantly lower (P < 0.001) than control group (617.13 ± 48.28 mts). The difference in distance covered by obese Group I and Group II was also significant (P < 0.001). The anthropometric parameters such as weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist-hip ratio were found highest in the obese Class II, and the intergroup difference was significant.

Conclusion: This study shows that increase in BMI reduces the functional capacity and aerobic fitness of an individual.

Key words: 6 Minute Walk Test; Obesity; Body Mass Index, Physical Fitness