Pain as a Comorbidity of Pediatric Obesity.
The purpose of this study was to document the prevalence and characteristics of physical pain in a sample of severely obese children and adolescents. In this retrospective chart review, primary measures included current and past pain, pain intensity, and pain characteristics during a 5-minute walk test. Pain assessments for 74 patients (mean age 11.7 years; 53% female; 41% African American) were conducted by a physical therapist. Past pain was reported by 73% of the sample, with 47% reporting pain on the day of program enrollment. Although average pain intensity was moderate (M = 5.5/10), alarmingly, 42% of those with current pain reported severe pain (6/10 to 10/10). Overall, pain occurred primarily in the lower extremities and with physical activity. Patients reporting current pain had a significantly higher body mass index than those reporting no pain. These findings suggest that pain is common in severely obese youth, and furthermore, that pain should be recognized as a comorbidity of pediatric obesity. Routinely screening severely obese children and adolescents for pain presence and intensity is recommended.
Jane B. Pettit Pain and Palliative Care Center, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (KRH, SJW); Rogers Partners in Behavioral Health, Roger's Memorial Hospital, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin (LAM); College of Health Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (SCS); NEW Kids Program, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (BMF); Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (WHD); and Department of Pediatrics, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (JAS).
Keri R
KR
Hainsworth
Jane B. Pettit Pain and Palliative Care Center, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (KRH, SJW); Rogers Partners in Behavioral Health, Roger's Memorial Hospital, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin (LAM); College of Health Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (SCS); NEW Kids Program, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (BMF); Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (WHD); and Department of Pediatrics, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (JAS).
Lawrence A
LA
Miller
Jane B. Pettit Pain and Palliative Care Center, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (KRH, SJW); Rogers Partners in Behavioral Health, Roger's Memorial Hospital, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin (LAM); College of Health Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (SCS); NEW Kids Program, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (BMF); Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (WHD); and Department of Pediatrics, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (JAS).
Stacy C
SC
Stolzman
Jane B. Pettit Pain and Palliative Care Center, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (KRH, SJW); Rogers Partners in Behavioral Health, Roger's Memorial Hospital, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin (LAM); College of Health Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (SCS); NEW Kids Program, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (BMF); Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (WHD); and Department of Pediatrics, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (JAS).
Brian M
BM
Fidlin
Jane B. Pettit Pain and Palliative Care Center, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (KRH, SJW); Rogers Partners in Behavioral Health, Roger's Memorial Hospital, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin (LAM); College of Health Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (SCS); NEW Kids Program, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (BMF); Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (WHD); and Department of Pediatrics, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (JAS).
W Hobart
WH
Davies
Jane B. Pettit Pain and Palliative Care Center, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (KRH, SJW); Rogers Partners in Behavioral Health, Roger's Memorial Hospital, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin (LAM); College of Health Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (SCS); NEW Kids Program, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (BMF); Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (WHD); and Department of Pediatrics, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (JAS).
Steven J
SJ
Weisman
Jane B. Pettit Pain and Palliative Care Center, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (KRH, SJW); Rogers Partners in Behavioral Health, Roger's Memorial Hospital, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin (LAM); College of Health Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (SCS); NEW Kids Program, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (BMF); Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (WHD); and Department of Pediatrics, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (JAS).
Joseph A
JA
Skelton
body mass index; obesity; pain; pediatric population