Obesity in young children and its relationship with diagnosis of asthma, vitamin D and iron deficiency, specific allergies and flat footedness: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Malden, S., Gillespie, J., Hughes, A., Gibson, A.-M., Farooq, A., Martin, A. , Summerbell, C. and Reilly, J. J. (2021) Obesity in young children and its relationship with diagnosis of asthma, vitamin D and iron deficiency, specific allergies and flat footedness: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Obesity Reviews, 22(3), e13129. (doi: 10.1111/obr.13129) (PMID:32808447)

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Abstract

There is evidence that a number of medical conditions and co‐morbidities are associated with obesity in young children. This review explored whether there is evidence of associations with other conditions or co‐morbidities. Observational studies of young children (mean age < 10 years) were identified using electronic searches of five databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, AMED and SPORTDiscus). Of 27 028 studies screened, 41 (comprising 44 comparisons) met the inclusion criteria. These studies provided data on five distinct diseases/conditions: asthma (n = 16), vitamin D deficiency (n = 10), iron deficiency (n = 10), allergies (n = 4) and flat‐footedness (n = 4). Thirty‐two studies were appropriate for meta‐analysis using random‐effects models, and revealed obesity was significantly associated with having asthma (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.3–1.7), vitamin D deficiency (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.4–2.5) and iron deficiency (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.4–3.2). Heterogeneity (I2) ranged from 57% to 61%. Narrative synthesis was conducted for all studies. There was no evidence of a consistent association between obesity in young children and eczema, dermatitis or rhinitis due to the low number of studies. However, there was an association with flat‐footedness. These results have implications for health policy and practice and families. Further research leading to a greater understanding of the associations identified in this review is suggested.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Martin, Dr Anne
Authors: Malden, S., Gillespie, J., Hughes, A., Gibson, A.-M., Farooq, A., Martin, A., Summerbell, C., and Reilly, J. J.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU
Journal Name:Obesity Reviews
Publisher:Wiley
ISSN:1467-7881
ISSN (Online):1467-789X
Published Online:18 August 2020
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2020 The Authors
First Published:First published in Obesity Reviews 22(3): e13129
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
727661Complexity in Health ImprovementLaurence MooreMedical Research Council (MRC)MC_UU_12017/14HW - MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit
727661Complexity in Health ImprovementLaurence MooreOffice of the Chief Scientific Adviser (CSO)SPHSU14HW - MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit