Obesity Associated with Childhood Snoring

Researchers at the University of Bari, Italy screened over 800 boys and girls (average age 7.3 years) and categorized them into non-snorers, occasional snorers or habitual snorers. Almost 25% of subjects were either overweight or obese. The children categorized as habitual snorers and who failed an oximetry study, underwent polysomnographic monitoring (also known as a sleep study) for sleep disordered breathing.

The researchers found the frequency of habitual snoring was significantly higher in obese subjects than in overweight and normal-weight children. Although only 1.7% of children were diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), the findings suggest that there is a higher incidence of OSAS in over-weight children.

According to the research published in the journal CHEST, the researchers in Italy found that obesity is associated with childhood snoring.

Learn more about children and snoring and the study

Source: http://www.sleepfoundation.org/alert/obesity-associated-childhood-snoring?utm_source=NSF+Alert&utm_campaign=079a19b008-NSF_Alert_6_02_2010&utm_medium=email

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010 at 1:27 pm and is filed under Respiratory Diseases, Sleep Disorders. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.