The Repercussions of Obesity on the Musculoskeletal System of Pediatric Patients

Nutrition is one of the most important factors in the growth and development of children and adolescents. According to the World Health Organization, obesity has become a worldwide epidemic and constitutes a major concern in view of the high rates of overweight and obese individuals documented both in developed countries and in the developing world. Obesity in infancy increases the risk of obesity in adulthood and results in health issues such as osteoarthritis and chronic back pain that in addition to occurring in adults may already be present in infancy. Orthopedic disorders of infancy such as slipped capital femoral epiphysis, cervical spine disorders, Blount’s disease and an increased risk of fractures may be related to weight. Overweight children have a greater prevalence of fractures and musculoskeletal discomfort and a greater risk of falls from low heights compared to children of normal weight. In view of the increasing prevalence of child obesity and the importance of understanding its repercussions on the various organs and systems including the musculoskeletal system, a literature review was performed to describe the orthopedic and musculoskeletal manifestations related to obesity in infancy, emphasizing the need for pediatricians to recognize, evaluate and adequately treat these patients.