Background: Constipation is a common disorder of the gastrointestinal tract which affects the quality of life (QOL) of patients. However, findings of studies on the relationship between obesity and constipation are conflicting. The aim of the present study was to assess the relationship of general and central obesity with constipation and functional constipation in a large group of Iranian adults.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 4457 adults, through obtaining anthropometric measures using a validated self-report questionnaire. The subjects were classified into three categories of normal weight, overweight, and obese based on their body mass index (BMI) and normal, central overweight, and central obesity based on their waist circumference. The prevalence of constipation, functional constipation, and its components was investigated according to Rome III criteria.Findings: The prevalence of constipation and functional constipation among the study population was 33.6% and 15.3%, respectively. After adjustment for potentially confounding factors, obese individuals were at a 32% greater risk of constipation compared to those with normal BMI (OR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.03-1.71). There was no significant association between general obesity and functional constipation. Gender-stratified analysis revealed a significant association between overweight and obesity, and constipation among women in the crude model; overweight women (OR: 1.21; 95% CI: 1.02-1.45) and obese women compared to women with normal BMI (OR: 1.65; 95% CI: 1.26-2.15) were 21% and 65% more likely to have constipation. Although significant associations were found between abdominal obesity, and constipation and functional constipation in the crude model, these associations disappeared with adjustment for confounding factors. Gender-stratified analysis revealed no significant associations between abdominal obesity, and risk of constipation or functional constipation in men or women.Conclusion: General obesity was associated with a significant increase in the risk of constipation, while abdominal obesity was not associated with constipation and functional constipation. General obesity was related to increased risk of constipation in women. However, no significant association was found between constipation and functional constipation, and obesity or abdominal obesity in men.

Background: Constipation and functional constipation are of the prevalent functional gastrointestinal disorders with negative effects on health-related quality of life and have high socioeconomic burden. In this study, the prevalence of these disorder and their related factors were evaluated.Methods: This study was a part of a great study with 4763 participants that evaluated constipation and functional constipation using Rome III questionnaire and demographic questionnaire.Findings: The prevalence of constipation and functional constipation were 33.4% and 15.2%, respectively and both were more common in women than men. Sensation of incomplete defecation was the most prevalent symptom. Using manual maneuver was the less prevalent and most severe symptom. Having hard stool was the mildest symptom among participants. All Symptoms was more prevalent in women.Conclusion: Constipation and functional constipation are prevalent disorders around the world. These conditions need more attention and attempts to prevent and treat.

A normal bowel pattern is thought to be a sign of good health. Constipation is a symptom rather than a disease. The exact prevalence of the disorder is difficult to be estimated. The differential diagnosis of childhood constipation can be extensive. Constipation is recognized and diagnosed by most practitioners based on the child's clinical pr esentation. Herein, we present a useful guide to the organization of pediatric constipation and appraise the current suggestion for treatment regimens, to help the clinician in treating a situation that can be distressing and has a significant influence on affected families.

Constipation is a common clinical problem that can be functional or organic in origin. This condition sometimes overlaps with irritable bowel syndrome. Initially, the clinician should differentiate between true and false constipation by clinical and preclinical evidence such as colonic transit time. Numerous patients believe that all defecation problems are called constipation and use laxatives without aprescription. A vast majority of constipated patients have improvement in their symptoms following life style modification and the use of simple laxatives. However onset of recent constipation in patients over the age of fifty should be considered as an organic disease unless proven otherwise. In these patients, colon cancer must be ruled out. Those with irritable bowel syndrome can transiently face constipation, for which supportive care is sufficient. In this review we explain the diagnosis, workup and treatment of constipation.

Background: Functional constipation (FC) and constipation-predominant irritable bowl syndrome (CIBS) are two main subtypes of constipation that can be distinguished by the Rome II criteria. Measuring colonic transit time (CTT) is an easy and cost effective way to evaluate constipation. This study was conducted to compare the CTT in patients with FC and CIBS. Materials and Methods: Those patients who referred to our hospital with complaint of chronic constipation were studied and those with no organic disease were included in this study. Using the Rome II criteria, they were then categorized as having FC or C-IBS. All patients ingested 10 radioopaque markers daily for six days. A plain abdominal x-ray was taken on the seventh day. Markers in the right and left hemicolon and rectosigmoid were counted and the total and segmental transit times were calculated and reported in hours. Results: A total of 45 patients with FC and 45 with C-IBS were enrolled into this study. The total CTT was normal in 42% of those with FC and in 55% of those with C-IBS. The mean total CTT was not significantly different between the two studied groups. Nonetheless, the mean rectosigmoid transit time of patients with FC was significantly higher than those with C-IBS (p=0.008). There was no significant difference between the right and left hemicolon transit time. Conclusions: Although the CTT of patients with FC might be higher than those with C-IBS, it seems that applying the Rome II criteria to distinguish these two groups does not affect the selection of treatment strategy.

Background: The linkage between consumption of fried foods and constipation was less studied. We aimed to assess the relationship between fried foods intake with constipation and functional constipation and its components in a large group of Iranian adults.Methods: In this cross-sectional study on 4517 adults, fried foods intake was assessed using an eating-behavior questionnaire. Subjects were classified into four categories based on their fried foods intake: "never", "1-3 times per week", "4-6 times per week" and "every day". The prevalence of functional constipation and its components was defined according to Rome III criteria.Findings: The prevalence of functional constipation and constipation among study population was 15.3% an, %33.5 respectively. After adjustment for potential confounding factors, individuals who ate 4 to 6 meals of fried foods per week had lower odds ratios for functional constipation (OR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.45-0.99), in comparison to those in the lowest category of fried food intake; more adjustment for dietary fiber intake disappeared this association. However, fried foods intake raised the risk of "sensation of incomplete evacuation" and "fewer than three defecations per week" by 36% (OR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.02-1.79) and 159% (OR: 2.59; 95% CI: 1.00-6.71) in females as well as frequency and severity of these symptoms in whole population.Conclusion: There was no significant association between fried foods intake and odds ratios for functional constipation. However, fried foods intake raised frequency and severity of some components of functional constipation.