Body fat, fitness and level of everyday physical activity in adolescents and young adults with meningomyelocele.

OBJECTIVE Data on body fat and fitness in adolescents and young adults with meningomyelocele are scarce. The aim of this study was to assess body fat and fitness in this patient group. In addition, we explored whether the level of everyday physical activity is related to body fat and fitness. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Body fat (skinfold thickness), fitness (VO2peak), and everyday physical activity (Activity Monitor, based on accelerometry) were measured in 14 patients with meningomyelocele (8 men, 6 women; age range 14-26 years). RESULTS Peak VO2 was 20-30% lower than reference values and 4 patients were obese. Level of everyday activity was related to fitness (rs = 0.65, p = 0.01) but not to body fat. CONCLUSION Young patients with meningomyelocele are at risk for developing obesity and have a distinctly subnormal fitness. Level of everyday physical activity is related to fitness in this patient group.