The impact of lifestyle on forearm fractures in children: A retrospective cohort analysis

Background and objectives: Forearm fractures are frequent in children. It is important to identify predisposing factors for increased fracture risk. This retrospective analysis aimed to investigate the correlation between forearm fractures in children and co-factors such as age, TV consumption, consumption of soft drinks, the kind of soft drinks consumed as well as physical activity in daily life and BMI. Methods: This retrospective cohort analysis compared 355 participants at the age of 4 to 12 between 2017 and 2018 with and without forearm fractures in children. It was based on a questionnaire to assess the abovementioned cofactors regarding behavior and lifestyles choices and aimed to identify whether or not these lead to an increased risk of forearm fractures. For statistical analysis logistic regression was used. Results: Logistic regression showed a significant effect on forearm fractures in children for the variables age (Odds ratio 3.3 [95% confidence interval 1.5-7.3], P = .003), TV consumption (Odds ratio 5.4 [95% confidence interval 2.5-22.6], P < .001), consumption of soft drinks (Odds ratio 2.6 [95% confidence interval 1.2-5.6], P = .013), and the kind of soft drinks consumed (Odds ratio 3.1 [95% confidence interval 1.5-6.3], P = .003), [NagelkerkesR(2) = 0.458; Chi(2) = 85.037; df = 6]) with a strong effect according to Cohen (f(2) = 0.84). Conclusion: The study showed a significant correlation between TV and soft drink consumption and increased risk for forearm fractures in children. TV consumption and consumption of soft drinks should be reduced in children to prevent forearm fractures.