# The Relationship Between Obesity and Otitis Media with Effusion in Children

## TL;DR

This study finds that obese children are more likely to develop a common ear condition called otitis media with effusion.

## Contribution

The study establishes a novel correlation between obesity and increased risk of otitis media with effusion in children.

## Key findings

- Children with OME had significantly higher BMI, weight, and BMI percentile than those without OME.
- Male gender and older age were also significantly associated with OME presence.
- The study confirms a link between obesity and increased risk of developing OME in pediatric populations.

## Abstract

Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a widespread condition affecting children globally. This study aimed to assess the relationship between obesity in pediatric populations and the risk of developing OME.

This retrospective observational study was performed in 2020 at Khalili and Dastgheib hospitals, affiliated with Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in Shiraz, Iran. The study included all children aged 2 to 15 years with a confirmed OME diagnosis. Participants in the non-OME group were chosen from children who did not have OME.

A total of 148 healthy individuals were included in the non-OME group, while the OME group comprised 110 patients. Statistical analysis revealed that the mean age (p=0.040), weight (p<0.001), height (p=0.024), BMI (p=0.023), and BMI percentile (p=0.023) were significantly greater in the OME group compared to the non-OME group. Additionally, there was a higher proportion of males in the OME group (63.6%) compared to the non-OME group (44.0%), with this difference being statistically significant (p=0.001). Logistic regression analysis indicated that factors such as older age (p=0.023), male gender (p=0.001), and elevated BMI percentile (p=0.004) were significantly associated with the presence of OME.

This research indicates that there is a correlation between obesity and a heightened risk of OME.