The Role of Body Mass Index on Physical Activity, Symptoms, and Related Outcomes Following Pediatric Concussion

Objective

To determine the step count and self-reported activity levels for obese and nonobese pediatric patients following concussion and predict self-reported symptoms, quality of life, and psychological health over time.

Study design

Participants completed the Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS), Pediatric Quality of Life (PedsQL), and Behavioral Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18) at an initial visit (<72 hours), 3-5 days postinjury, 10-18 days postinjury, and 1 and 2 months postinjury. Physical activity data (eg, step count) were collected via a commercial actigraph. Participants were categorized into obese and nonobese body mass index (BMI) groups based on age- and sex-adjusted growth standards. Mann-Whitney U tests compared groups while nonparametric series regression models examined the effect of obese BMI and average daily step count on PCSS, PedsQL, and BSI-18 outcomes at 1 and 2 months postinjury.

Results

One hundred ninety-four participants were included: 153 (78.9%; M = 14.6 ± 2.4 years; 50% female) in the nonobese group and 41 (21.1%; M = 14.2 ± 2.0 years; 44% female) in the obese group. The obese group had a 22.8% lower average daily step count in the week postinjury (P = .02). At 2 months, there was a significant association between obese BMI and worse PCSS total score (P = .042), PedsQL (P = .017), and BSI-18 anxiety (P = .046). Average daily step count in the first week postinjury was associated with a higher PCSS total score at 2 months (P = .031).

Conclusions

Pediatric patients following concussion with an obese BMI had a lower daily average step count in the week after injury and exhibited worse concussion symptoms, quality of life, and anxiety at 2 months compared with those with a nonobese BMI.

Trial registration

Active Injury Management (AIM) after Pediatric Concussion: NCT03869970