Abstract
Research has established that obese children have decreased core stabilization and balance as compared to normal weight children. The decrease in core stabilization causes obese children to ambulate with a slower walking velocity, longer double leg stance, wider stance width, and a greater degree of asymmetry. This case report details the use of a core strengthening program with a middle school child who was obese and was demonstrating impaired gait mechanics. The child was referred to physical therapy with an acute low back sprain, treatment was focused toward improving her core stabilization to decrease her current low back pain and to improve her gait mechanics. This case provides an example of how providing a core strengthening program to an obese middle school-age child can help improve the impaired gait mechanics found in obese children.