A latest study on childhood obesity shows heavy kids have greater chances of suffering from broken wrists.

The small study comprised of 157 patients with researchers examining the data of distal radius fractures of participants who received emergency department or surgical treatment. Analysis of the reports of the patients who were treated between January 2011 and June 2012 showed that obese children were significantly more likely to require a second surgical procedure to set their fractured bones. These children made more follow-up visits for X-rays or other scans. They were also less likely to have an initial, successful bone repositioning in the emergency room.

According to the researchers, obesity increased the likelihood of distal radius fracture, or a bone break near the wrist, in children. The study also found that obese children were more likely to suffer complications related to the healing of broken bones.

The study patients were initially treated with fiberglass casting, and tracked until their fracture healed. The study determined and analyzed each patient's age, weight, height and number of office visits, subsequent surgeries and the type/angle of the fracture. The findings showed that 42 percent of the children were diagnosed as overweight, with a Body Mass Index greater than the 85th percentile, and 29 percent as obese, with a Body Mass Index greater than the 95th percentile.

The study results showed that a total of 27 children needed repeat procedures for the bone fracture. According to the findings, 12 percent of children with normal weight were required to get the second procedure, whereas 28 percent of obese children needed repeat reduction.

The study, "Childhood Obesity Increases the Risk of Failure in the Treatment of Distal Forearm Fracture," was presented at the 2014 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).