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327684
Comparison of Body Weight Status among Adolescents with Mobility Limitations by their Orthopedic Conditions and Demographics


Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Kiyoshi Yamaki, PhD, Department of Disability and Human Development, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
Lawrence Vogel, MD, FAAP, Shriners Hospitals for Children Chicago, Chicago, IL
Brienne Davis Lowry, MPH, Department of Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
Pamela Patt, RDN, Ld, Nutrition Service, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Chicago, IL
Susan Lescher, MT(ASCP), Shriners Hospitals for Children, Chicago, IL
Background: Children with mobility limitations are at an increased risk of obesity owing to their sedentary lifestyle, calorie intake, and social isolation.  Findings from previous studies, however, may obscure subgroup variations in the obesity prevalence by aggregating children with different diagnoses and demographics into a larger group of individuals with mobility limitations.  We examined the rates of obesity in children with mobility limitations across subgroups with different diagnoses and demographics. 

Methods: We utilized patient records from a national network of specialized pediatric hospitals (n = 3,250).  Included are records of adolescents, ages 15 to 20, with Cleft Lip/Palate (CLP), Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), Cerebral Palsy (CP), Osteochondropathies, Spina Bifida, and Oseteogenesis Imperfect (OI).  Difference in the body weight status distribution was examined using χ2test.  Associations between obesity, diagnosis, and demographics were examined using odds ratios in univariate and multivariate logistic regression. 

Results Prevalence of extreme obesity was higher in children with Osteochondropathies (45%), Spina Bifida (12%), OI (11%), and Black (21%) and Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (18%) children compared with children from other groups.  Underweight, in contrast, was higher among those with SCI (23%) and CP (20%). Results of multivariate regression indicate children with Osteochondropathies (OR: 8.5) and Spina Bifida (OR: 1.7) were significantly more likely to be obese when compared with those with CLP.  Black (OR: 1.6) and Hispanic (OR: 1.5) children were also significantly more likely to be obese than White and non-Hispanic children, respectively.

Conclusion:  There is a notable variation of obesity in children with mobility limitations by their diagnosis and demographics.

Learning Areas:

Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Chronic disease management and prevention
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Describe difference in obesity prevalence by etiology and demographics in children with mobility limitations. Identify risk factors associated with obesity and underweight among children with mobility limitations.

Keyword(s): Children With Special Needs, Obesity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I initiated this study, developed a study protocol with co-investigators who are in the clinical setting, conducted data analysis, and took lead in summarizing study findings.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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