Prevalence and correlations of weight abnormalities with diet and exercise frequency in Egyptian children with Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Obesity amongst children and teenagers is becoming more prevalent than ever. Cerebral palsy (CP) kids are less active than children without physical limitations and tend to develop risk factors more frequently. for becoming overweight or obese.

AIM: This study's goal was to determine the prevalence of different weight abnormalities and risk of ab-dominal obesity in a random sample of Egyptian children.

DESIGN: cross-sectional study.

SETTING: pediatric physical therapy rehabilitation clinics.

POPULATION: all cerebral palsy cases at six private pediatric rehabilitation clinics in four different governorates (Cairo, Alexandria, Sharkia and Beni-Suef).

METHODS: 249 children diagnosed as having cerebral palsy, age 2-18 years were recruited from different Egyptian governorates in a Cross-sectional study. Body mass index (BMI) and waist to hip ratio (WHR) were computed. Type of cerebral palsy was detected according to the child diagnosis.

RESULTS: The distribution of the study group revealed that 62.7% of the children were at low risk for abdominal obesity, compared to 18.9% who were at high risk. Children with cerebral palsy who had abnormal weight made up 57.42% of the population. Children with cerebral palsy were found to have an abdominal obesity risk of 37.34%.

CONCLUSIONS: The results of our sample population's BMI and WHR analysis show the frequency of overweight and obesity in children with CP is quite low.

CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: Weight abnormality and central obesity of Cerebral palsy children should be monitored regularly during rehabilitation program. Diet and regular exercises are crucial for maintaining proper weight of CP Children.