Accuracy of body mass index in categorizing weight status in children with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Special considerations for the adolescent with obesity: An obesity medicine association (OMA) clinical practice statement (CPS) 2024

Background

This Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) Clinical Practice Statement (CPS) details special considerations for the management of the adolescent with obesity. The information in this CPS is based on scientific evidence, supported by medical literature, and derived from the clinical experiences of members of the OMA.

Methods

The scientific information and clinical guidance in this CPS are based on scientific evidence, supported by the medical literature, and derived from the clinical perspectives of the authors.

Results

This OMA Clinical Practice Statement addresses special considerations in the management and treatment of adolescents with overweight and obesity.

Conclusions

This OMA Clinical Practice Statement on the adolescent with obesity is an overview of current recommendations. These recommendations provide a roadmap to the improvement of the health of adolescents with obesity, especially those with metabolic, physiological, and psychological complications. This CPS also addresses treatment recommendations and is designed to help the provider with clinical decision making.

Weight Status of Children Participating in the National Spina Bifida Patient Registry

OBJECTIVES

Describe the distribution of weight status categories and determine factors associated with overweight and obesity (OW/OB) in children and adolescents with spina bifida (SB) using the National Spina Bifida Patient Registry.

METHODS

Demographic, anthropometric, and clinical data collected from 2009 through 2018 was used to describe the prevalence of OW/OB. The generalized estimating equation model (GEE) identified factors associated with OW/OB among individuals with SB.

RESULTS

Participants (n = 7215) were aged 2 to 19 years (mean = 11.1; standard error, 0.06) and 51.4% female. The majority were non-Hispanic white (57.2%) followed by Hispanic or Latino (25.1%) and non-Hispanic Black (7.5%). The myelomeningocele (MMC) subgroup accounted for 76.3%. Most (60.2%) were community ambulators. The overall percentage of OW/OB was 45.2%, with 49.2% of MMC and 32.0% of nonmyelomeningocele OW/OB. Following the Centers for Disease Control Obesity Severity Classification System, 19.7% of MMC were in class 1, 6.6% in class 2, and 3.5% in class 3. Univariate analysis of MMC participants demonstrated demographic (age, sex, race/ethnicity, and clinic region) and clinical variables (functional level of lesion, ambulation, and number of shunt surgeries) were associated with OW/OB. The GEE model showed that OW/OB was independently, and significantly, associated with age, sex, race/ethnicity, lesion levels, and geographic location of the clinics.

CONCLUSIONS

The demographic and clinical factors associated with OW/OB in children and adolescents with SB further our understanding of factors contributing to the higher prevalence of OW/OB in this population and may inform OW/OB prevention and treatment strategies.