Juvenile obesity and its association with utilisation and costs of pharmaceuticals - results from the KiGGS study

Christina M Wenig,Petra Menn,Hildtraud Knopf

doi:10.1186/1472-6963-11-340

Abstract

BackgroundAccording to a national reference, 15% of German children and adolescents are overweight (including obese) and 6.3% are obese. An earlier study analysed the impact of childhood overweight and obesity on different components of direct medical costs (physician, hospital and therapists). To complement the existing literature for Germany, this study aims to explore the association of body mass index (BMI) with utilisation of pharmaceuticals and related costs in German children and adolescents.MethodsBased on data from 14, 836 respondents aged 3-17 years in the German Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS), drug intake and associated costs were estimated using a bottom-up approach. To investigate the association of BMI with utilisation and costs, univariate analyses and multivariate generalised mixed models were conducted.ResultsThere was no significant difference between BMI groups regarding the probability of drug utilisation. However, the number of pharmaceuticals used was significantly higher (14%) for obese children than for normal weight children. Furthermore, there was a trend for more physician-prescribed medication in obese children and adolescents. Among children with pharmaceutical intake, estimated costs were 24% higher for obese children compared with the normal weight group.ConclusionsThis is the first study to estimate excess drug costs for obesity based on a representative cross-sectional sample of the child and adolescent population in Germany. The results suggest that obese children should be classified as a priority group for prevention. This study complements the existing literature and provides important information concerning the relevance of childhood obesity as a health problem.

Highlights

According to a national reference, 15% of German children and adolescents are overweight and 6.3% are obese
In a recently published article on the excess costs of overweight and obesity in German children and adolescents based on the KIGGS study [19], we found significantly higher physician costs for overweight and obese children compared with the normal weight group
Utilisation of pharmaceuticals by body mass index (BMI) groups The mean prevalence of drug intake is slightly higher among overweight and obese children compared with normal weight (39.7%) children and adolescents

Summary

Introduction

According to a national reference, 15% of German children and adolescents are overweight (including obese) and 6.3% are obese. An earlier study analysed the impact of childhood overweight and obesity on different components of direct medical costs (physician, hospital and therapists). The data from the German Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS) show that, among 3- to 17-year-olds, 15% are overweight (including obese) and 6.3% are obese according to a national reference. Obesity in childhood increases the risk of later morbidities [4,5] and in turn increases the risk of obesity in adulthood [6]. A recently published review found that childhood obesity already has an immediate impact on child health [4]

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