The Relationship between Obesity, Dietary Habits, and Pain During Bowel Movements in Children with Functional Constipation: A Literature Review
Literature Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55175/cdk.v53i05.1949Keywords:
Children, constipation, defecation pain, obesity, dietary patternsAbstract
Background: Functional constipation is defined as delayed or difficult bowel movements lasting ≥2 weeks that cause the patient distress. This study aims to examine the relationship between obesity, dietary patterns, and defecation pain with the incidence of functional constipation in children. Methods: A literature review was conducted using predefined keywords from data sources Google Scholar, PubMed, and ScienceDirect. Inclusion criteria included open-access articles published between 2014 and 2024. A total of 9 articles that met the criteria were further analyzed. Results: Functional constipation is associated with several risk factors, including obesity, unhealthy dietary patterns, and defecation pain. Some studies showed a positive correlation between obesity and functional constipation, although the results varied and were not always statistically significant. Low-fiber, high-fat diets have been reported to impair intestinal motility. Pain during defecation may reinforce the behavior of stool withholding, which ultimately worsens constipation symptoms. Conclusion: This review highlights the importance of factors such as obesity, dietary habits, and defecation pain in preventing and managing functional constipation in children.
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