Associations Between Childhood Obesity and Upper and Lower Extremity Injuries

Overview

Journal Inj Prev

Specialties Emergency Medicine
Pediatrics
Public Health

Date 2012 Jul 14

PMID 22789612

Citations 21

Authors

Annette L Adams

Jeffrey I Kessler

Krikor Deramerian

Ning Smith

Mary Helen Black

Amy H Porter

Steven J Jacobsen

Corinna Koebnick

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objectives: To estimate the overall and age-specific associations between obesity and extremity musculoskeletal injuries and pain in children.

Methods: This cross-sectional study used information from electronic medical records of 913178 patients aged 2-19 years enrolled in an integrated health plan in the period 2007-2009. Children were classified as underweight, normal weight, overweight, or moderately/extremely obese and, using multivariable logistic regression methods, the associations between weight class and diagnosis of upper or lower extremity fractures, sprains, dislocations and pain were calculated.

Results: Overweight (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.20), moderately obese (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.20 to 1.27) and extremely obese (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.30 to 1.39) children had statistically significantly higher odds of lower extremity injuries/pain compared to normal weight, adjusted for sex, age, race/ethnicity and insurance status. Age-stratified analyses yielded similar results. No consistent association was observed between body mass index and injuries/pain of the upper extremities.

Conclusions: Greater body mass index is associated with increased odds of lower extremity injuries and pain issues. Because the benefits of physical activity may still outweigh the risk of injury, attention should be paid to injury prevention strategies for these children at greater risk for lower extremity injuries.

Citing Articles

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Obese adolescents have higher risk for femur fracture after motor vehicle collision.

Choi S, Nahmias J, Dolich M, Lekawa M, Smith B, Nguyen N Surg Open Sci. 2024; 20:205-209.

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Obese adolescents have higher risk for severe lower extremity fractures after falling.

Gonzalez N, Nahmias J, Schubl S, Swentek L, Smith B, Nguyen N Pediatr Surg Int. 2023; 39(1):235.

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Forearm Fractures in Overweight-Obese Children and Adolescents: A Matter of Bone Density, Bone Geometry or Body Composition?.

Franceschi R, Radetti G, Soffiati M, Maines E Calcif Tissue Int. 2022; 111(2):107-115.

PMID: 35316361 DOI: 10.1007/s00223-022-00971-3.

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