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Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Exploring correlation between social determinants and overweight/obesity in children and youths with epilepsy
1Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China.
Insights
Poor physical condition is linked to overweight and obesity in children with epilepsy. Higher parental education and family income levels show a protective effect against childhood obesity in this group.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Public Health
- Childhood Obesity Research
Background:
- Social determinants significantly influence child health outcomes, including weight status.
- Childhood epilepsy presents unique challenges, and understanding associated comorbidities like obesity is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between social determinants and the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and youths with epilepsy.
- To identify specific social factors that may increase or decrease the risk of excess weight in this vulnerable population.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) 2016-2019, a cross-sectional survey.
- Included 655 children aged 10-17, categorized into normal weight, overweight, and obesity based on Body Mass Index (BMI).
- Employed multivariate ordinal logistic regression analyses to assess correlations between social determinants and weight status, adjusting for covariates.
Main Results:
- Children reported by parents as being in poor physical condition were more likely to be overweight or obese (OR=1.573).
- Higher parental education levels were negatively correlated with overweight/obesity, particularly in children with epilepsy.
- Increased Family Poverty Levels (FPL) showed a negative correlation with overweight/obesity in children with mild to severe epilepsy symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Poor physical condition is a significant correlate of overweight and obesity in pediatric epilepsy.
- Socioeconomic factors, including parental education and family income, play a protective role against childhood obesity in children with epilepsy.
- Highlights the need for targeted interventions focusing on BMI management for children with epilepsy from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
Aim:
This study aimed to explore the correlation between social determinants and overweight and obesity in children and youths with epilepsy.
Methods:
The study data were derived from the National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) 2016-2017 and 2018-2019, a cross-sectional sample of young people aged 10-17. Three groups participated by weight: 423 in body mass index (BMI) 5th-84th group (normal weight), 108 in BMI 85th-94th group (overweight), and 124 in BMI ≥ 95th group (obesity). Multivariate ordinal logistic regression analyses were conducted. The three subgroups were divided to explore the correlation between social determinants and overweight and obesity.
Results:
A total of 655 children were included. After adjusting for sex, age, race, use of cigarets, cigars, or pipe tobacco inside, afterschool activity, and physical activity, children in poor physical condition reported by their parents [OR = 1.573 (95% CI, 1.164-2.125)] were associated with overweight/obesity. There were negative correlations between parents with higher education and overweight/obesity, especially in children and youths with previous or current epilepsy groups. Also, overweight/obesity was correlated with the 200%-400% family poverty level (FPL) [the adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.156 (95% CI, 0.028-0.876)] and above 400% FPL [the adjusted OR = 0.121 (95% CI, 0.023-0.641)] in children and youths with mild symptoms of epilepsy, and above 400% FPL [the adjusted OR = 0.103 (95% CI, 0.023-0.460)] in children with moderate to severe epilepsy.
Conclusion:
Poor physical conditions were correlated with obesity in childhood epilepsy. Parents with higher education and FPLs were negatively correlated to childhood obesity. Therefore, this study was intended to advocate for a greater emphasis on BMI for children and youths with epilepsy in families with lower-educated and low-income groups.
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