Racial and ethnic disparities in obesity prevalence among children, adolescents, and young adults receiving inpatient care in Hawai‘i, 2015–2016

The number of hospitalizations with an obesity diagnosis have increased among youth in the past two decades, yet remain understudied, particularly among racial/ethnic minority groups. The purpose of this study was to characterize obesity prevalence among children, adolescents, and young adults receiving inpatient care in Hawai‘i acute care hospitals during 2015–2016. This study analyzed statewide administrative data from a racially and ethnically diverse population. Participants (N = 7,751) included Hawai‘i residents aged 5–29 years receiving inpatient care, excluding those hospitalized due to pregnancy. Recorded height and weight were used to calculate body mass index (BMI) and classify obesity. Primary or secondary diagnoses for obesity were assessed. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to determine characteristics associated with obesity, including race/ethnicity-sex interaction, age group, insurance payer, and county of residence. Based on BMI, 28.4% (2,202/7,751) of patients had obesity. However, an obesity diagnosis was present only in 40.4% (889/2,202) of patients with obesity based on BMI (11.9% of all patients). In the multivariable model, compared to whites, the odds of having obesity were highest among Pacific Islanders [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 4.07, 95% CI(3.16–5.23)] and Native Hawaiians [aOR = 2.16, 95% CI(1.75–2.67)] for females, and among Pacific Islanders [aOR = 5.39, 95% CI(4.27–6.81)], Native Hawaiians [aOR = 2.36, 95% CI(1.91–2.91)], and Filipinos [aOR = 2.08, 95% CI(1.64–2.64)] for males. Obesity was also associated with age group, but not insurance payer type or county of residence. These findings support the need for greater attention to obesity in the inpatient setting and equity-focused interventions to reduce obesity among younger hospitalized patients.