Respiratory Effects of Obesity in Children: Longitudinal Consequences After 6 Years of Aging

The purpose of the study is to re-examine body composition, respiratory function, exercise tolerance, and dyspnea on exertion (DOE) in children with obesity (CWO) and children without obesity (CWOO) who were originally studied as 8-12-year-olds between 2016-2023 (i.e., originally Tanner score ≤ 3; 90 participants; 26 CWOO \& 64 CWO).

Inclusion Criteria: The participants originally studied as 8-12-year-olds between 2016-2023 as part of the investigator's R01 HL136643. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Children not able to follow directions, adequately perform procedures (e.g., pulmonary function tests), or keep appointments (e.g., no shows for testing). 2. If a child developed an abnormal ECG, showed other signs of clinical exercise intolerance, or signs of cardiovascular/lung disease during the exercise test, testing was terminated, and the child was referred to their personal physician for further evaluation. 3. Women who are pregnant or could possibly be pregnant (i.e. not using approved birth control measures and sexually active) will be excluded because of changes in body size during pregnancy and because unforeseeable risks to the fetus. 4. Presence of significant disease defined as a disease which in the opinion of the investigator may put the subject at risk because of participation in the study or a disease that may influence the results of the study or the subject's ability to participate in the study. 5. Patients who are non-English speaking will be excluded from the study because the tests performed are very effort dependent, detailed and require technical communication between the staff and the patient. The investigators feel that a translator would not be able to translate the technical terms fast enough to instruct the patient in the testing.