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Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Musculoskeletal pain in obese compared with healthy-weight children
Margarita D Tsiros1, Jonathan D Buckley, Peter R C Howe
1*Nutritional Physiology Research Centre, School of Health Sciences, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA †School of Health Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Vic ‡Mater Mothers' Hospital, Mater Research and Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia.
Insights
Childhood obesity is linked to more frequent and intense musculoskeletal pain, especially in the lower limbs. Body mass index is a key indicator, highlighting the need for pain screening and tailored exercise in obese children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Musculoskeletal Disorders
- Obesity Research
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern.
- Musculoskeletal pain is common in children and can impact quality of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the association between childhood obesity and musculoskeletal pain.
- To identify predictors of pain in obese children.
Main Methods:
- An observational case-control study involving obese and healthy-weight children aged 10-13 years.
- Pain characteristics were assessed using the Pediatric Pain Questionnaire.
- Body composition and physical activity were measured using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and accelerometry.
Main Results:
- Obese children reported more intense pain, pain in more locations, and higher prevalence of lower limb pain compared to healthy-weight children.
- Body mass index was significantly associated with increased pain locations and intensity.
- Percent body fat did not show a significant relationship with pain variables.
Conclusions:
- Childhood obesity is associated with increased musculoskeletal pain, particularly in the lower limbs.
- Body mass index is a stronger predictor of pain than overall adiposity.
- Clinicians should screen obese children for pain and incorporate symptom-aware exercise programs.
Objectives:
To investigate whether obesity is associated with musculoskeletal pain in children.
Materials And Methods:
Obese (n=107) and healthy-weight (n=132) 10- to 13-year-old children (132 males, 107 females) participated in an observational case-control study. Children self-reported pain location (excluding abdominal pain), pain intensity (current and prior week), and pain prevalence (overall and lower limb) using the Pediatric Pain Questionnaire. Body composition was assessed (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry) and children wore an accelerometer for 8 days.
Results:
After adjustment for accelerometry (weekly average counts per hour) and socioeconomic status, obese children had more intense pain (worst pain, P=0.006), pain in more locations (P≤0.005), and a higher prevalence of lower limb pain (60% vs. 52% respectively, P=0.012) than healthy-weight children. Significant relationships were observed between body mass index and total pain locations (P≤0.004, unadjusted and adjusted) and worst pain intensity (P≤0.009, adjusted for socioeconomic status/accelerometry). There were no significant relationships between percent body fat and pain variables (unadjusted/adjusted analyses, P=0.262 to 1.0).
Discussion:
Obesity in children was associated with increased overall and lower limb musculoskeletal pain, for which body mass index was a stronger predictor than adiposity. Clinicians treating obese children should screen for pain and prescribe exercise programs that take their symptoms into account.
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