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Increased prevalence of obesity in children with functional constipation evaluated in an academic medical center

Dinesh S Pashankar1, Vera Loening-Baucke

  • 1Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA. dinesh.pashankar@yale.edu

Pediatrics
|September 6, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Children with constipation have a significantly higher prevalence of obesity compared to their peers. This finding highlights a critical link between childhood constipation and obesity, requiring further investigation into contributing factors.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Childhood Obesity Research
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern.
  • Previous studies suggested a link between obesity and constipation in children, but lacked control groups.
  • Understanding this association is crucial for pediatric health management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of obesity in a large cohort of children with functional constipation.
  • To compare obesity rates in constipated children versus a control group representative of the general pediatric population.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective chart review of 719 children (4 to <18 years) with chronic functional constipation.
  • Comparison with a control group of 930 children (4 to <18 years) attending well-child visits.
  • Obesity defined as BMI >95th percentile; severe obesity as BMI ≥5 kg/m² above 95th percentile.

Main Results:

  • Obesity prevalence was significantly higher in constipated children (22.4%) than controls (11.7%).
  • Higher rates of obesity and severe obesity were observed in constipated males and females compared to controls.
  • Obesity prevalence was similar in constipated children with or without fecal incontinence.

Conclusions:

  • Children with constipation exhibit a significantly higher prevalence of obesity compared to age- and gender-matched controls.
  • This increased obesity prevalence is noted in both boys and girls with constipation.
  • Further research is needed to explore potential contributing factors like diet, activity, or hormonal influences.
Abstract

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