Childhood Obesity as a Risk Factor for Lateral Condyle Fractures Over Supracondylar Humerus Fractures

Abstract

Background Obese children reportedly have an increased risk of sustaining musculoskeletal injuries compared with their normal-weight peers. Obese children are at greater risk for sustaining fractures of the forearm, particularly from low-energy mechanisms. Furthermore, obesity is a risk factor for sustaining an extremity fracture requiring surgery. However, it is unclear what role obesity plays in fractures about the distal humerus. Questions/purposes We therefore asked whether (1) children who sustain lateral condyle (LC) fractures have a higher body mass index (BMI) as compared with those with supracondylar (SC) humerus fractures; and (2) children with a higher BMI sustain more severe fractures regardless of fracture pattern. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 992 patients: 230 with LC injuries and 762 with SC fractures. We determined BMI and BMI-for-age percentiles. Fracture types were classified by the systems proposed by Weiss et al. (LC fractures) and Wilkins (SC fractures). Results The LC group had both a higher mean BMI and BMI-for-age percentile than the SC group as well as had more obese patients (37% versus 19%).

Divergent Effects of Obesity on Bone Health

“…However, accelerated skeletal growth and greater bone size may not translate into reduced fracture risk. In fact, two recent studies reviewing the medical records of patients aged 2 to 19 yr showed that overweight and obese children had an increased odds ratio of fracture, with the association strongest in the 6-11 year-old age group (5, 6). Gender may affect the association between obesity and bone outcomes.…”

Effects of a Program "Circuit Training" on Anthropometric Variable and Composition Body in Military Police

“…These differences in the mean values of the perimeters can be explained by the fact that the sessions of "Circuit Training", held in sports, were performed with progressive intensity 60-85% of maximum heart rate, according to the American College of Sports Medicine [13], where more emphasis was given to the aerobic phase. Olson et al [22], Stanforth et al [23], Fornari et al [24], and Conti [25] explain that the exercise intensity, the duration of the aerobic phase are crucial to promote changes in the cardiovascular level and caloric expenditure.…”

Orthopedic Problems in Overweight and Obese Children

“…Childhood obesity is an ongoing epidemic in the United States [4,5]. The most recent data from the US indicate that 16.9% of children and adolescents are obese, defined as a body mass index (BMI) for age >95th percentile [6,7] and there is evidence that the prevalence of obesity among children will reach 30% by 2030 [8]. Childhood obesity is a risk factor for greater morbidity later in life, including diabetes, coronary artery disease and increased mortality [4,5,9,10].…”