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Obesity and Health-Related Quality of Life in Children Hospitalized for Acute Respiratory Illness

Matthew R Test1, Rita Mangione-Smith2,3, Chuan Zhou2,3

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington and Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington matthew.test@seattlechildrens.org.

Hospital Pediatrics
|July 16, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Childhood obesity is a growing concern impacting respiratory health. This study found obesity did not worsen health-related quality of life or hospital outcomes for children hospitalized with asthma or pneumonia.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric respiratory health
  • Childhood obesity and its health impacts
  • Health-related quality of life in children

Background:

  • Childhood obesity is a significant public health issue with known adverse effects on respiratory health.
  • Asthma and pneumonia are common childhood respiratory illnesses that can lead to hospitalization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the impact of obesity on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in children hospitalized with asthma or pneumonia.
  • To evaluate the association between obesity and hospital outcomes, including length of stay and readmission rates.

Main Methods:

  • A multicenter prospective cohort study involving 716 children (aged 2-16 years) hospitalized with asthma exacerbation or pneumonia.
  • Health-related quality of life was measured using PedsQL scales at admission and post-discharge.
  • Body Mass Index (BMI) categories (normal weight, overweight, obesity) were determined using national guidelines.

Main Results:

  • 19.3% of hospitalized children had obesity and 11.4% were overweight.
  • Obesity was not associated with poorer HRQOL at presentation or after discharge.
  • No significant association was found between obesity and hospital length of stay or 30-day readmission.

Conclusions:

  • A substantial proportion of children hospitalized for asthma or pneumonia are overweight or obese.
  • In this cohort, childhood obesity alone did not appear to negatively impact HRQOL or hospital outcomes for these conditions.
Abstract

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