International Journal of Physiology
  • Year: 2016
  • Volume: 4
  • Issue: 2

A Study of Autonomic Function Tests Between Obese and Non-Obese Adolescents

1Associate Professor, Department of Physiology, Fathima Institute of Medical Sciences, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh, India

2Professor and HOD, Department of Physiology, Fathima Institute of Medical Sciences, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh, India

*Address for Correspondence: Dr. Srinivasa Jayachandra Associate Professor, Department of Physiology, Fathima Institute of Medical Sciences, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh, India. Email: jayachandra.srinivasa@gmail.com

Online published on 2 August, 2016.

Abstract

Childhood obesity affects around 16% of the world population aged 6 to 19 years. In addition to being highly prevalent, obesity in adolescents is responsible for the emergence and development of cardiovascular diseases.

to assess the difference in autonomic function between the obese and nonobese adolescents.

sixty adolescent male subjects aged between 17 and 19 years were selected for this study. With reference on their body mass index, these subjects were divided into a nonobese group (n =45) and obese group (n = 25). Autonomic function tests for analyzing parasympathetic function (such as heart rate response to immediate standing and standing to lying ratio) and sympathetic function (such as blood pressure response to immediate standing and cold pressor test) were performed.

Statistical difference in sympathetic and parasympathetic function between the obese and nonobese adolescents was not observed.

This study indicate that there was no difference in autonomic function between the obese and nonobese adolescents, which could be due to the level of obesity and physical activity of these subjects.

Keywords

Adolescence, autonomic dysfunction, obesity