Association between Lifestyle Factors and Constipation among Children Aged 3-10 Years in Hospital

Abstract

Background: Constipation is a prevalent gastrointestinal condition in children that may have a severe impact on their physical well-being, everyday life, and quality of life. It is a multifactorial disorder that depends on many dietary, lifestyle and behavior factors. Objective: Thus, the objective of this research was to evaluate the lifestyle factors responsible to constipation in children aged 3-10 years. A cross-sectional study was done in a hospital among children within the age range. Methodology: A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data and it contained data about dietary intake (fiber, milk, whole grains and water), lifestyle habits (physical activity and screen time) and bowel practices (toilet routine and stool withholding). Clinical variables like abdominal pain, appetite and body mass index (BMI) were also evaluated. A statistical analysis was conducted to find out the relationship between these variables and the severity of constipation. Results: The findings showed that poor dietary fiber intake, insufficient water intake, excessive screen time, and lack of physical exercise had a significant effect on the severity of constipation (p < 0.05). There were also strong associations with behavioral factors such as irregular toilet routine and stool withholding. Also, constipation was strongly associated with abdominal pain and decreased appetite as well as increased BMI. To sum up, lifestyle and dietary habits are essential in the occurrence of constipation among children. Conclusion: Effective prevention and management of constipation in children aged 3-10 years require early detection and intervention based on dietary habits, physical activities, screen time, and healthy bowel habits.