title: Role of obesity in otitis media in children.
abstract: The ongoing childhood obesity epidemic has garnered significant attention among healthcare providers due to its short- and long-term sequelae. Multiple diseases have been associated with obesity, not limited to hypertension, diabetes, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Over the past decade, the relationships between obesity and otologic conditions have been investigated. In this setting, otitis media has remained the focus of research, representing one of the most common pediatric illnesses. Initial studies suggesting a relationship between the two conditions have been supported with epidemiological studies controlling for socioeconomic factors. The purpose of this article is to review our current understanding of the relationship between otitis media and obesity and to discuss the healthcare implications of this association. In addition, several identifiable factors associated with each condition are discussed, as are potential pathophysiologic mechanisms that may help to elucidate the complex and multifactorial relationship between the two disease entities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Sameer
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: Ellis
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Arjmand
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sidell
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000209:etiology*; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000150:complications*; D012307:Risk Factors