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Mehegan, John
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Mehegan, John
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Mehegan, John
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Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
- PublicationSchool sociodemographic characteristics and obesity in schoolchildren: does the obesity definition matter?(BioMed Central, 2018-03-09)
; ; ; ; ; Background: Existing evidence on the role of sociodemographic variables as risk factors for overweight and obesity in school-aged children is inconsistent. Furthermore, findings seem to be influenced by the obesity definition applied. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate if school sociodemographic indicators were associated with weight status in Irish primary schoolchildren and whether this association was sensitive to different obesity classification systems. Methods: A nationally representative cross-sectional sample of 7,542 Irish children (53.9% girls), mean age 10.4 (±1.2SD) years, participating in the Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative in the 2010, 2012/2013 or 2015/2016 waves were included. Height, weight and waist circumference were objectively measured. Five definitions of obesity were employed using different approaches for either body mass index (BMI) or abdominal obesity. Associations between overweight and obesity and sociodemographic variables were investigated using adjusted multilevel logistic regression analyses. Results: Children attending disadvantaged schools were more likely to be overweight and obese than their peers attending non-disadvantaged schools, regardless of the obesity classification system used. Associations remained significant for the BMI-based obesity definitions when the sample was stratified by sex and age group, except for boys aged 8-10.5 years. Only boys aged ≥10.5 years in disadvantaged schools had higher odds of abdominal obesity (UK 1990 waist circumference growth charts: OR=1.56, 95%CI=1.09-2.24; waist-to-height ratio: OR=1.78, 95%CI=1.14-2.79) than those in non-disadvantaged schools. No associations were observed for school urbanisation level. Conclusions: School socioeconomic status was a strong determinant of overweight and obesity in Irish schoolchildren, and these associations were age- and sex-dependent. School location was not associated with overweight or obesity. There remains a need to intervene with school-aged children in disadvantaged schools, specifically among those approaching adolescence, to prevent a trajectory of obesity into adult life.325Scopus© Citations 16 - PublicationDoes changing weight change pain? Retrospective data analysis from a national multidisciplinary weight management service(Wiley, 2019-09)
; ; ; ; ; ; Background: Musculoskeletal (MSK) pain is common in obese populations. Multidisciplinary Tier 3 weight management services (WMS) are effective in reducing weight; however, MSK pain as an outcome is not routinely reported post-WMS interventions. Methods: Following ethical approval this retrospective design study using anonymized data from a national WMS established changes in anthropometric and pain prevalence and intensity scores as well as establishing variables predictive of achieving clinically significant changes (CSC) in pain scores. Results: Of the 806 patients registered to the WMS (January 2011–February 2015), 59% (n = 476; CI = 56–62) attended their reassessments at 6 months. The overall mean age was 45.1 ± 12 years and 62% (n = 294) were female. At baseline 70% (n = 281; CI = 65–75) reported low back pain (LBP) and 59% (n = 234; CI = 54–64) had knee pain. At reassessment 37.3% (n = 177) of patients lost ≥5% body weight, 58.7% (n = 279) were weight stable (5% weight loss or gain) and 4.0% (n = 19) gained ≥5% body weight. Low back and knee pain prevalence reduced significantly for those who lost ≥5% body weight. Variables predictive of a CSC in LBP numerical rating scale (NRS) score included a higher baseline NRS score, weighing more, and rating losing weight as being important (p < 0.05). Higher baseline NRS and being younger resulted in higher odds of a CSC in knee pain NRS (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Overall this WMS was effective for clinical weight loss. For those who lost most weight prevalence of knee and LBP reduced. Imbedding pain management strategies within WMS’s may provide a more holistic approach to obesity management. Significance: Weight loss can reduce musculoskeletal pain, particularly for those who lose more weight. Imbedding pain management strategies within these services may provide a more holistic approach to obesity management.Scopus© Citations 12 208 - PublicationPrediction of Large for Gestational Age Infants in Overweight and Obese Women at Approximately 20 Gestational WeeksLarge for gestational age (LGA) births are associated with many maternal and perinatal complications. As overweight and obesity are risk factors for LGA, we aimed to predict LGA in overweight and obese women at approximately 20 gestational weeks, so that we can identify women at risk of LGA early to allow for appropriate interventions. A random forest algorithm was applied to maternal characteristics and blood biomarkers at baseline and 20 gestational weeks' ultrasound scan findings to develop a prediction model. Here we present our preliminary results demonstrating potential for use in clinical decision support for identifying patients early in pregnancy at risk of an LGA birth.
209Scopus© Citations 2