Body Mass Index and Medical Costs for North Carolina Teens
Author Information
Author(s): Buescher Paul A. PhD, Whitmire J. Timothy PhD, Plescia Marcus MD, MPH
Primary Institution: State Center for Health Statistics
Hypothesis
Does body mass index (BMI) affect medical care expenditures among North Carolina adolescents enrolled in Medicaid?
Conclusion
Overweight adolescents have higher medical care expenditures compared to their normal-weight peers.
Supporting Evidence
- Overweight adolescents had 25% higher Medicaid expenditures than normal-weight adolescents.
- Adolescents at risk for overweight had 33% higher expenditures than normal-weight peers.
- Overweight adolescents were more likely to have claims for diabetes and asthma.
Takeaway
Being overweight can cost more in medical bills for teenagers, even if they are still growing up.
Methodology
The study linked public health records with Medicaid claims to analyze expenditures based on BMI categories among adolescents aged 12-18.
Potential Biases
Overweight adolescents may be more likely to have their height and weight measured, potentially skewing the results.
Limitations
The sample may not represent all low-income adolescents in North Carolina, and the study can only show associations, not causation.
Participant Demographics
Adolescents aged 12-18, with a sample that included various races and both sexes.
Statistical Information
P-Value
P = .02
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
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