Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 14, 2025

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

27.1K

Exploring Associations Between Abnormal Weight Classifications and Child Maltreatment Diagnoses

Debra Esernio-Jenssen1,2,3, Alfred Morrobel4, Susan E Hansen2,5

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Allentown, PA, USA.

Clinical Pediatrics
|October 7, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Child maltreatment, a form of toxic stress, is linked to abnormal pediatric weight. This study found that neglect and multiple diagnoses correlate with being underweight, overweight, or obese, signaling a need for clinical screening.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Child Psychology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Child maltreatment causes toxic stress, increasing long-term health risks.
  • Pediatricians require guidance for screening occult injuries indicative of maltreatment.
  • Abnormal pediatric weight may signal underlying adversity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between child maltreatment type and number of diagnoses with abnormal pediatric weight.
  • To determine if weight classification is a biologic signal for child maltreatment.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cohort study of 855 pediatric patients diagnosed with child maltreatment.
  • Analysis of diagnoses and weight classification at intake from medical records.
  • Statistical examination of correlations between maltreatment characteristics and weight status.

Main Results:

  • Statistically significant associations found between weight classification and child maltreatment type and diagnosis count.
  • Neglect was the most common diagnosis.
  • Children with two or more diagnoses were more likely to be underweight, overweight, or obese.

Conclusions:

  • Abnormal pediatric weight serves as a potential biologic indicator of adversity.
  • Clinical safety screening is warranted when abnormal pediatric weight is observed.
  • Weight status can aid in identifying children experiencing maltreatment.

Keywords:
BMIchild abusegrowthobesitypediatricsthinnesstoxic stress

More Related Videos

Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts07:56

Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts

Published on: January 29, 2018

17.6K
Author Spotlight: Collecting the Brain and Serum from the Same Mice Fetus to Study Brain Tumor Development05:44

Author Spotlight: Collecting the Brain and Serum from the Same Mice Fetus to Study Brain Tumor Development

Published on: May 17, 2024

609

Related Concept Videos

Bulimia Nervosa01:30

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by a cyclical pattern of binge-and-purge eating pattern. It generally involves an episode of binge eating, followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, excessive exercise, laxative use, or fasting, to prevent weight gain. Despite often maintaining a normal weight, individuals with bulimia are intensely preoccupied with their body image and harbor an overwhelming fear of gaining weight. This can contribute to the...
127
Anorexia Nervosa01:28

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of weight gain, an unrelenting pursuit of thinness, and a distorted body image. It often leads to dangerously low body weight relative to an individual's age and height. This disorder is marked by significant physical and psychological consequences, making it one of the most life-threatening psychiatric illnesses.
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
112
Introduction to Psychological Disorders01:19

Introduction to Psychological Disorders

Abnormal behavior, often referred to as mental illness, results from changes in brain function that influence thought patterns, behaviors, and social interactions. Psychologists and psychiatrists typically assess abnormal behavior using three primary criteria: deviance, maladaptation, and personal distress, particularly when these traits persist over long periods.
Deviant Behavior
Deviance in behavior refers to actions or thought patterns that significantly diverge from societal norms or...
401
Conduct Disorder01:28

Conduct Disorder

Conduct disorder is a complex mental health diagnosis characterized by a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior that violates societal norms, the rights of others, or age-appropriate rules. The diagnostic criteria for conduct disorder require the presence of at least three problematic behaviors within the past 12 months, with at least one occurring in the past six months. These behaviors are grouped into four categories: aggression toward people and animals; destruction of property;...
41
Bullying02:04

Bullying

A modern form of aggression is bullying. As you learn in your study of child development, socializing and playing with other children is beneficial for children’s psychological development. However, as you may have experienced as a child, not all play behavior has positive outcomes. Some children are aggressive and want to play roughly. Other children are selfish and do not want to share toys. One form of negative social interactions among children that has become a national concern is...
8.4K
Binge Eating Disorders01:23

Binge Eating Disorders

Binge eating disorder is a significant mental health condition characterized by recurrent episodes of excessive food consumption within a short period, accompanied by a perceived loss of control over eating behavior. Unlike occasional overeating, binge eating disorder is marked by distressing emotions such as guilt, shame, and anxiety following binge episodes. The disorder affects individuals across different ages and backgrounds, with profound implications for physical and psychological...
110