The Influence of Childhood Obesity on Presentation to a Pediatric Emergency Department

A. Background and Significance:

Obesity is a public health issue in the United States. Obesity amongst children is rising at an alarming rate. Thirty percent of US children aged 6 to 19 are over weight and 15 % are obese1. It is estimated that over 18 million US children are over weight. The long-term impact of childhood obesity on such diseases as Diabetes2, Asthma3and Hypertension4, is well studied. The effects of childhood obesity on the current health status of the pediatric population have not been studied. We plan to study the concurrent effects of obesity on the pediatric population by screening patients presenting to the Emergency Department. We will compare the presentation of obese and at-risk pediatric patients to healthy patients to see if there is a difference in presenting complaints or disease processes.

B. Methodology:

As of March 2005, as part of routine patient care, we will measure length in addition to weight of patients 2 years to 18 years of age presenting to the pediatric emergency department. A report will be run monthly to calculate the BMI of all patients for whom data is available. The data will be plotted on the BMI growth charts. A retrospective chart review will be conducted for patients in the at-risk (BMI for age 85 - 95 %) and overweight (> 95 %) categories and will be compared to "control" or healthy (6 % - 85 %) group. The data will be collected for one calendar year.