O'Malley G.1, Sheridan N.2, Blake C.2, Elmes M.3, Keating R.3, Lennon O.3
1Temple Street Children's University Hospital, Physiotherapy, Dublin, Ireland, 2Temple Street Children's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland, 3University College, School of Physiotherapy, Public Health and Population Science, Dublin, Ireland
Background: Musculoskeletal impairments are associated with obesity and can restrict children from participating in health enhancing physical activity.
Purpose: We examined the prevalence of musculoskeletal impairment (MSKI) in children and adolescents attending an obesity service to explore if obesity (BMI Z-score) could predict the presence of impairment.
Methods: The medical records, radiological reports and service use of a series of 178 consecutive children and adolescents a National paediatric obesity treatment centre were accessed. Children underwent a musculoskeletal screen,which tested the following: pain; standing balance; muscle flexibility; gait and function (hop, jump and lunge). MSKI was classified based on the presence of physical impairments. Descriptive statistics were used to report prevalence of impairment. Logistic regression models, investigated whether obesity could predict the presence of MSKI.
Results: 89.9% (n=160) of the group had MSKI (75.2% in lower limbs, 29.8% in upper limbs and 20.8% of the spine). 51% reported pain (39% of the lower limb); 45% had a radiological scan for MSKI within the previous 24 months; 69% had been referred to orthopedics and 30% to A&E for MSKI. Difficulties with gait and function were observed in 19% and 9.6% respectively. The logistic regression analysis was insignificant.
Conclusion(s): Musculoskeletal impairment, in particular of the lower limb, is a frequent co-morbidity in children who are obese. Level of obesity could not predict the presence of impairment.
Implications: This study highlights that each child should be screened for barriers that could limit time spent in health-enhancing activity
Funding acknowledgements: No Funding was received for the study.
Topic: Paediatrics
Ethics approval: Ethical approval was granted by the Ethics Committee of Temple Street Children´s University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
