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Comparison of body mass index on children with functional constipation and healthy controls
Zohreh Kavehmanesh1, Amin Saburi2, Ali Maavaiyan3
1Department of Pediatric, Faculty of Medicine and Research Center of Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Insights
Obesity shows a significant link to the duration of pediatric constipation, but not its presence. Further research is needed to confirm the impact of weight changes on defecation in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Gastroenterology
- Public Health
Background:
- Constipation is a common pediatric disorder, categorized as organic or functional.
- Obesity is a growing pediatric concern impacting growth and development.
- This study investigates the potential link between childhood obesity and functional constipation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the probable relationship between obesity and pediatric functional constipation.
- To analyze the association between Body Mass Index (BMI) and constipation in children.
- To explore factors influencing constipation in obese and non-obese pediatric populations.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 259 children aged 2-14 years.
- Exclusion of children with organic causes of constipation.
- Comparison of Body Mass Index (BMI) between constipated children and a healthy control group.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant difference in the prevalence of obesity between constipated and control groups (P = 0.188).
- A significant association was found between obesity and the duration of constipation (P = 0.008).
- Obesity also showed a significant association with the age of the children (P = 0.042).
Conclusions:
- While obesity is linked to constipation duration, a clear association with constipation presence was not established.
- Further cohort or clinical trials are recommended to explore regional nutritional and growth patterns.
- Investigating the effect of weight changes on defecation requires additional research.
Background:
Constipation is one of the most common pediatric disorders, especially in developed population, which categorized to organic or functional (non-organic) constipation. Furthermore, obesity is a growing chronic pediatric problem that could cause any compromise in weight and height. The aim of this study is the evaluation of probable relation between obesity and pediatric functional constipation.
Methods:
This study was conducted as a case-control investigation on 2-14-years-old children those referred to Baqiyatallah University clinic during 2009-2011. The constipated children with organic causes were excluded. The control group of children was those who had not any disorders affecting on height and weight. Quantitative variables were expressed by mean and standard deviation and the correlation was tested with chi2 through SPSS version 17.
Results:
A total of 259 children (male 51.7%) consisting 124 cases and 135 controls were enrolled. The mean age in constipated and normal children was 69.47 ± 35.03 and 74.15 ± 39.68, respectively. BMI over 95% in the control group was 11.9% and in the constipated group was 17.7% that the difference was not statistically significant either (P = 0.188). The only significant association was found between obesity and the duration of constipation and also age (P = 0.008, 0.042, respectively).
Conclusion:
Although we found a significant relationship between duration of constipation and obesity, there was not a clear association between obesity and presence of constipation. Furthermore, we suggest extended cohort or clinical trial study regarding to the regional nutritional and growth patterns to confirm weight decrease or increase the effect on defecation.
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