Overweight and constipation in adolescents
2011

Overweight and Constipation in Adolescents

Sample size: 1077 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Costa Mariana L, Oliveira Julyanne N, Tahan Soraia, Morais Mauro B

Primary Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo

Hypothesis

Is there an association between being overweight and constipation in adolescents?

Conclusion

The study found a high prevalence of constipation among adolescents, but no association between being overweight and constipation, although fecal incontinence was more common in constipated adolescents who were overweight.

Supporting Evidence

  • Constipation was diagnosed in 18.2% of the adolescents.
  • The prevalence of being overweight was found in 13.5% of the study population.
  • Fecal incontinence was observed in 2.3% of the total cohort.

Takeaway

This study looked at teenagers and found that many of them had constipation, but being overweight didn't seem to cause it. However, overweight teens who were constipated had more accidents.

Methodology

Cross-sectional study involving 1,077 adolescents from five schools in São José dos Campos, Brazil, using questionnaires to assess constipation and overweight.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to self-reporting and the exclusion of incomplete questionnaires.

Limitations

The study relied on self-reported data and may not account for all factors influencing constipation and overweight.

Participant Demographics

Adolescents aged 10 to 18 years, with 46% male and 54% female participants.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.764

Confidence Interval

1.10 (0.69-1.75)

Statistical Significance

p = 0.764

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-230X-11-40

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