The Predictive Relationship of Pediatric Body Mass Indexes and Comorbid Diagnoses Including the Current Findings Regarding Abscesses

Pediatric obesity is a leading threat to the long-term health of the population. The rise in pediatric obesity has resulted in increased comorbidities and decreased health status. A secondary data analysis was completed to evaluate the relationship between body mass index (BMI), health care environment, and health services use of pediatric patients. This research used a retrospective secondary data analysis of 942 charts of which 526 contained critical data elements. The information was gathered by means of an original data collection tool. Statistical analysis was achieved through χ2 and ANOVA techniques. The project was congruent with the then current Healthy People 2010 goals of improving health, fitness, and quality of life through daily physical activity for children and adolescents and also aimed to reduce the proportion of children and adolescents who are overweight or obese. There was a statistically significant difference between BMI levels and comorbid diagnoses (χ2, P = .035) with an increase a...