title: Examination of the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and functional independence level in children with spina bifida.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and functional independence level in children with spina bifida (SB).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 116 children between 5 and 18 years. Subjects' socio-demographic characteristics, BMI values and functional independence levels were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was negative correlation between BMI and communication and social cognition in girls (p < 0.05). No correlation was found between BMI and WeeFIM in boys (p > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicated that body weight in children with SB affected functional independency and that precautions to control weight important in these children.
authors.affiliation: Dokuz Eylül University, School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation , İzmir , Turkey .
authors.forename: Tülay Tarsuslu
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Şimşek
authors.forename: Bahriye
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Türkücüoğlu
authors.forename: Sezen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tezcan
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D012919:Social Behavior; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000503:physiopathology*
keywords: Body mass index; dependency; functional independent; obesity; spina bifida