Premium
The association between childhood overweight and obesity and otitis media
Author(s) -
Kuhle S.,
Kirk S. F. L.,
Ohinmaa A.,
Urschitz M. S.,
Veugelers P. J.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
pediatric obesity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.226
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 2047-6310
pISSN - 2047-6302
DOI - 10.1111/j.2047-6310.2011.00011.x
Subject(s) - medicine , otitis , overweight , obesity , body mass index , odds ratio , population , pediatrics , rate ratio , adenoid , confidence interval , surgery , environmental health
Summary Objective The objective of this study was to examine the association between otitis media and childhood obesity in a population‐based sample of elementary school children in the C anadian province of N ova S cotia. Methods The study design is a prospective cohort study, linking data from a population‐based survey of G rade 5 students (aged 10–11 years) in the C anadian province of N ova S cotia in 2003 with N ova S cotia administrative health data. Measured body mass index was used to define weight status based on the age‐ and gender‐specific cut‐off points of the I nternational O besity T ask F orce. Health administration data for each child was linked via H ealth C ard numbers. The primary outcome was healthcare utilization (physician visits and costs) for suppurative otitis media (International Classification of Diseases [ ICD ]9: 382; ICD 10: H 65–66) with no previous diagnosis of otitis in the last 30 days. Results Relative to normal weight children, obese children had more healthcare provider contacts for otitis media (adjusted incidence rate ratio 2.03, 95% confidence interval [ CI ] 1.66–2.49), incurred more costs per otitis media‐related visit ($47 vs. $24, P = 0.0001) and had higher odds to have repeated otitis media (adjusted odds ratio 2.27, 95% CI 1.54–3.35). Socioeconomic factors, a history of breastfeeding, presence of an allergic disorder or chronic adenoid/tonsil disorder did not change the association between obesity and otitis media. Conclusion There is a clear association between childhood obesity and otitis media that cannot be explained by confounding by socioeconomic factors or clinically associated disorders.