Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 18, 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

28.1K

Healthcare utilization by obese and overweight children

Josette Bianchi-Hayes1, Rose Calixte1, Jiayu Huang1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Long Island Children's Hospital, Stony Brook Children's Hospital, Stony Brook, NY.

The Journal of Pediatrics
|January 11, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Overweight children, defined by body mass index (BMI) percentiles, are more likely to use emergency departments for routine care. This highlights a need for primary care interventions for these children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Public Health
  • Health Services Research

Background:

  • Childhood obesity is a significant public health concern.
  • Understanding healthcare utilization patterns in relation to weight status is crucial for effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between childhood obesity and healthcare use.
  • To analyze data from a large, nationally representative sample of children with measured anthropometrics.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 5 combined National Health and Nutrition Survey datasets (2001-2010).
  • Logistic regression models assessed healthcare use variables and weight status (overweight/obese) in children aged 2-18.
  • Weight status was determined by body mass index (BMI) percentiles for age and sex.

Main Results:

  • Overweight and obese children were more likely to use emergency departments (ED) for routine care compared to normal-weight peers.
  • This association persisted for overweight children after adjusting for covariates, but not for obese children.
  • No significant associations were found between weight status and other healthcare use variables.

Conclusions:

  • Overweight children may disproportionately utilize emergency departments for routine medical care.
  • Establishing primary care medical homes for overweight children warrants consideration.
  • Further research into the drivers of ED use among overweight and obese children is needed.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Multidisciplinary Approach to Obesity Management: A Case Report05:10

Multidisciplinary Approach to Obesity Management: A Case Report

Published on: May 30, 2025

1.5K
A Method for Manipulating Blood Glucose and Measuring Resulting Changes in Cognitive Accessibility of Target Stimuli08:01

A Method for Manipulating Blood Glucose and Measuring Resulting Changes in Cognitive Accessibility of Target Stimuli

Published on: August 12, 2016

9.6K

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...
351
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...
425
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...
1.6K
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...
310
Drug Dosing: Infants and Children01:29

Drug Dosing: Infants and Children

Pediatric patient dosages diverge from adults due to disparities in body surface area, total body water, and extracellular fluid per kilogram of body weight. The dosing regimen considers the variations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacology across distinct age groups, encompassing preterm newborns, infants, young children, older children, and adolescents. Calculation of pediatric patient doses is predicated on determining body surface area, which exhibits a superior correlation with the child's...
929
Preventive Healthcare Services01:30

Preventive Healthcare Services

Preventive healthcare services keep people healthy via frequent check-ups, screening, and counseling. They primarily aid in disease prevention rather than treating an acute or chronic illness. Preventive treatment also keeps individuals productive and energetic, allowing them to work well into their retirement years. Examples of preventive care services include:
2.3K