10– 14 In this context, developing a routine test to explore the impact of obesity-induced impairments of lung function on the ability to walk is essential. 9 Walking is currently recommended in the obese population as well as in the general population because it can provide a safe and effective lifestyle strategy to reduce abdominal obesity and metabolic marker abnormalities. 1– 8 Even if obese subjects usually describe dyspnea when performing exercise, physical activity is recognized as an effective tool to limit comorbidities associated with obesity. Among disorders associated with obesity, impairments of lung function are well described at rest and during exercise. Obesity, generally accepted as an increase of BMI beyond 30 kg/m 2, is generally associated with a higher risk of health disabilities. Body mass index (BMI), defined as the ratio of the body weight expressed in mass units (kg) over the square of body height in meters, is a widely accepted indicator of adiposity. There has been an increase in the number of overweight people in the general population of western countries.
