Constipation related to obesity in children

Children with chronic constipation are twice as likely to be obese as compared to those without this problem. Researchers from the Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut found that clinicians should remember to evaluate a constipated child for obesity as well. Obesity is an increasing problem among children and unless there's an issue, like constipation, many obese children simply won't be seen by a clinician. The new findings also have psychiatric implications. Obesity and constipation can cause behavioural issues and depression, but together the problem is likely to be more severe. Therefore clinicians need to be aware of that. The researchers compared the prevalence of obesity among 719 children with chronic constipation with no apparent organic cause and among 930 children in the same age group seen at a general paediatrics clinic who were not constipated (control group). The rate of obesity among the constipated children was 22.4 percent, nearly double the rate seen in control children - 12 percent. The association between constipation and obesity was noted in both boys and girls. Diet is likely the major factor to link obesity and constipation. Less fibre intake probably results in greater caloric intake and together these dietary patterns cause both problems.