Causal Relationship Supported Between Childhood Obesity and Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis

Researchers conducted a population-based cohort study in Scotland to examine whether a relationship exists between childhood obesity and risk for slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE). They analyzed height and weight data from screening visits of approximately 600,000 children at primary school entry (aged 5–6 years) and subsequent SCFE diagnoses from a national hospital discharge database. A subgroup of approximately 40,000 children underwent repeat screening at age 11 to 12 years.

At baseline, 21% of the sample were obese or overweight. Among children who received repeat screening, 75% of those who were obese at baseline remained obese at follow-up. Obesity at either time point was strongly associated with risk for subsequent SCFE. The …