Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Acupoint Application Combined with Acupoint Massage for Treating Constipation in a Patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
03:50

Acupoint Application Combined with Acupoint Massage for Treating Constipation in a Patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Published on: August 18, 2023

Chronic constipation in overweight children

Sudipta Misra1, Amy Lee, Kathy Gensel

  • 1Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, UIC College of Medicine at Peoria, 320 E. Armstrong, Peoria, IL, USA. smisra@uic.edu

JPEN. Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
|March 7, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Children with chronic constipation are more likely to be overweight. Overweight children with constipation often present with male predominance, behavioral issues, and treatment resistance.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Childhood Obesity
  • Behavioral Pediatrics

Background:

  • Obesity and functional constipation share a common biopsychosocial model.
  • Chronic constipation significantly impacts overweight children's quality of life.
  • The association between childhood obesity and constipation requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the proportion of overweight children in a chronic constipation group versus a control group.
  • To identify clinical characteristics of overweight children with chronic constipation.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective chart review of 101 children (5-18 years) with functional constipation.
  • Control group comprised 100 children from general practice with normal bowel habits.
  • Overweight classification based on body mass index (BMI) >85th percentile (NIH 2000 chart).

Main Results:

  • 44% of children with constipation were overweight, compared to 30% in the control group (p < .05).
  • Overweight children with constipation were more likely male (70.45% vs 47.36%), had more psychological/behavioral problems (45.45% vs 22.8%), and were more likely to fail treatment (40.9% vs 21.05%).
  • No significant differences were found in constipation duration, sex ratio, painful defecation, soiling, or defecation frequency.

Conclusions:

  • A significant association exists between chronic constipation and being overweight in children.
  • Overweight children with chronic constipation represent a distinct clinical group.
  • This distinct group exhibits male predominance, increased psychological/behavioral issues, and poorer treatment outcomes.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction01:17

Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction

Chronic bowel diseases are a group of long-term conditions affecting the digestive tract, characterized by inflammation and damage to the gut lining. These conditions primarily include irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
Drugs for Treatment of Constipation-Predominant IBS01:21

Drugs for Treatment of Constipation-Predominant IBS

Pharmacological therapies for IBS-C are designed to alleviate abdominal discomfort and enhance bowel function. In patients with IBS-C, fiber supplements may help soften stools and decrease straining, but may also lead to increased gas production and bloating. Osmotic laxatives like milk of magnesia are frequently used to soften stools and increase stool frequency in IBS-C patients. In addition, two drugs approved for use in severe IBS-C adult cases are linaclotide (Linzess) and lubiprostone...
Assessment of the Rectum and Anus01:25

Assessment of the Rectum and Anus

Evaluating the rectum and anus plays a crucial role in conducting a thorough physical examination of the gastrointestinal system. Although it may be uncomfortable and often embarrassing for the patient, it holds immense diagnostic value, particularly in detecting gastrointestinal diseases and abnormalities. This guide will explain how to perform this assessment using inspection and palpation methods.
Rectal Inspection
Begin by inspecting the perianal and anal areas for color, texture, rashes,...
Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion01:20

Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion

Drug metabolism, a critical process in the liver, involves two primary phases: Phase I reactions and Phase II conjugation. Obesity introduces significant alterations in this metabolic process, primarily due to fatty infiltration of the liver, leading to conditions such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This condition can modify the activities of both Phase I and II enzymes, impacting how drugs are metabolized in obese patients.Phase I metabolism sees variable effects across...
Pyloric Obstruction01:11

Pyloric Obstruction

Pyloric obstruction, also referred to as gastric outlet obstruction, is a condition characterized by narrowing or blockage at the pylorus—the muscular valve regulating the flow of stomach contents into the duodenum. When this passage becomes impaired, the stomach cannot effectively empty its contents into the small intestine. This disruption leads to a range of gastrointestinal symptoms, including early satiety, bloating, epigastric pain, postprandial nausea, persistent vomiting, and...
Drug Dosing: Obese Patients01:21

Drug Dosing: Obese Patients

In the United States, obesity is a prominent concern. It is linked to heightened mortality rates due to increased occurrences of conditions such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and diabetes compared to nonobese individuals. A patient is classified as obese if their actual body weight surpasses the ideal or desirable body weight by 20%, based on Metropolitan Life Insurance Company data. Ideal body weights consider average weights and heights for males and females...