Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
09:36

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study

Published on: February 2, 2017

Overweight in medical paediatric inpatients: detection and parent expectations

Karen McLean1, Melissa Wake, Zoe McCallum

  • 1Centre for Community Child Health, Royal Children's Hospital, and Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia. karen.mclean@rch.org.au

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health
|April 21, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Overweight and obesity affect 11.7% of pediatric inpatients, yet BMI is rarely documented. Parents expect hospitals to screen for and manage childhood overweight during admissions.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Public Health
  • Clinical Nutrition

Background:

  • Overweight and obesity are significant global health concerns in children.
  • Early detection and management in pediatric settings are crucial for long-term health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of overweight/obesity in general pediatric inpatients.
  • To assess the rates of detection and documentation of overweight/obesity.
  • To explore parental expectations regarding overweight/obesity screening and management during hospitalization.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional survey of 102 children (aged 2-12) and their parents at a children's hospital.
  • Data collection included body mass index (BMI), documentation of weight, height, and BMI in patient notes.
  • Parental perceptions of child's weight, concerns, and expectations for hospital management were assessed.

Main Results:

  • 11.7% of children were identified as overweight or obese.
  • Weight was documented for all children, but height for only 2.0%, and BMI for none.
  • Most parents of overweight children perceived their child's weight as healthy and were not concerned, yet desired hospital screening and intervention.

Conclusions:

  • Despite a lower-than-expected prevalence, overweight/obesity was significantly under-documented in pediatric inpatients.
  • Parents expect healthcare facilities to actively screen for and address childhood overweight during admissions.
  • Further research is needed to understand parental expectations across diverse pediatric patient populations.
Abstract

More Related Videos

A Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Eating Disorder Analysis and Diagnosis04:19

A Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Eating Disorder Analysis and Diagnosis

Published on: May 10, 2022

Multidisciplinary Approach to Obesity Management: A Case Report05:10

Multidisciplinary Approach to Obesity Management: A Case Report

Published on: May 30, 2025

Related Concept Videos

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...
Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution01:25

Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution

Obesity significantly alters the pharmacokinetic processes of drug absorption and distribution, presenting unique challenges in medical treatment. The increased fat tissue and decreased lean muscle in obese individuals can significantly affect how drugs are absorbed into the body and distributed across different tissues. This alteration can lead to variances in the effectiveness and safety of medications, necessitating adjustments in dosing or drug selection for obese patients.One notable...
Obesity01:24

Obesity

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in adipocytes...
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...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...