Associations between childhood obesity and upper and lower extremity injuries

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Orthopedics
• Sports Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern.
• Musculoskeletal injuries and pain are common in children.
• The relationship between excess weight and extremity injuries in pediatric populations requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the association between body mass index (BMI) categories and the risk of extremity musculoskeletal injuries and pain in children.
• To analyze age-specific associations between obesity and these conditions.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study utilizing electronic medical records of 913,178 children aged 2-19 years.
• Patients categorized into underweight, normal weight, overweight, or moderately/extremely obese groups.
• Multivariable logistic regression analysis to assess associations between weight class and diagnoses of upper or lower extremity fractures, sprains, dislocations, and pain.

Main Results:

• Overweight, moderately obese, and extremely obese children demonstrated significantly higher odds of lower extremity injuries and pain compared to normal-weight children.
• Associations remained significant after adjusting for sex, age, race/ethnicity, and insurance status.
• No consistent association was found between BMI and upper extremity injuries or pain.

Conclusions:

• Increased body mass index is linked to a greater likelihood of lower extremity injuries and pain in children.
• Despite the increased injury risk, the benefits of physical activity in children often outweigh the risks.
• Targeted injury prevention strategies are crucial for children at higher risk of lower extremity injuries due to their weight status.