Some Risk Factors of Chronic Functional Constipation Identified in a Pediatric Population Sample from Romania

Abstract

We conducted an observational study over a 1-year period, including 234 children aged 4–18 years and their caregivers and a matching control group. 60.73% of the children from the study group were males. Average age for the onset of constipation was 26.39 months. The frequency of defecation was 1/4.59 days (1/1.13 days in the control group). 38.49% of the patients in the sample group had a positive family history of functional constipation. The majority of children with functional constipation come from single-parent families, are raised by relatives, or come from orphanages. Constipated subjects had their last meal of the day at later hours and consumed fast foods more frequently than the children in the control sample. We found a statistically significant difference between groups regarding obesity/overweight and constipation (χ 2 = 104.94, df = 2, p < 0.001) and regarding physical activity and constipation (χ 2 = 18.419; df = 3; p < 0.001). There was a positive correlation between the number of hours spent watching television/using the computer and the occurrence of the disease (F = 92.162, p < 0.001, and 95% Cl). Children from broken families, with positive family history, defective dietary habits, obesity and sedentary behavior, are at higher risk to develop chronic functional constipation.

Prevalence of overweight and obesity in children with functional constipation aged 6 to 12 years attending outpatient department in a tertiary care hospital at Tamil Nadu, India

“…Similar observations were made by Pashankar et al in their study in which prevalence of obesity was significantly higher in constipated children (22.4%) compared with control children (11.7%). 8 A 44% prevalence of overweight in constipated children was observed in the study by Misra et al 9 A statistically significant difference was observed between groups regarding obesity/overweight and constipation in a study by Olaru et al 10 A lesser incidence of overweight (19.2%), and obesity (6.7%) were observed in children with functional constipation the study by Koppen done at Columbia. 11 This lesser incidence is probably due to the regional variation in the prevalence of overweight and obesity.…”

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“…Metabolic syndrome or family history of T2DM seems to increase the risk for NAFLD [55,56] Chronic functional constipation [57] Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) SIBO was found in 37.6% of overweight group. Obese children with SIBO have an increased risk for developing NAFLD.…”

Markers of healthy eating habits, water intake, and constipation in children between 4 and 7 years of age

“…Corroborating these results, Shau et al [7] and Olaru et al [28] found that the frequent consumption of fast food and inadequate eating habits are associated with constipation [27]. Other authors [7,28,29] suggest that the consumption of foods with high sugar, trans fat, sodium levels, and the inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables favor the increase in prevalence.…”