Obesity and overweight as risk factors for low back pain in children and adolescents: a meta-analysis
Authors' conclusion
Overweight and obesity may be risk factors for LBP in children and adolescents. The association between LBP and obesity appears to be stronger than with overweight. However, the analysis revealed considerable heterogeneity and risk of bias across studies.
Study context
- Population
- Children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 years; databases searched from inception to October 202234 studies
- Comparison
- Overweight/obesity vs normal weight
- Outcome
- LBP
Methodological detailsrandom-effects models, location-scale models for moderators, ROBINS-E risk of bias, 4 studies low risk of bias; remaining studies some concerns
- Random-effects models
- Location-scale models for moderators
- ROBINS-E risk of bias
- 4 studies low risk of bias; remaining studies some concerns
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Each group vs normal weightOdds ratio (95% CI)
Overweight9 studies; no heterogeneity
1.13(1.10–1.16)
Obesity8 studies; no heterogeneity
1.27(1.20–1.34)
Overweight/obesity10 studies; no heterogeneity
1.18(1.14–1.23)
Further pooled results
Body mass index (BMI) and low back pain (LBP)
- OR (95% CI 1.03-1.39), 19 studies, evidence of heterogeneity; mean BMI compared, transformed to log OR and retransformed to OR
- 1.19
Original publication
Obesity and overweight as risk factors for low back pain in children and adolescents: a meta-analysis. Int J Obes (Lond). Published 25 January 2024. doi:10.
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