Breathing problems and sleep difficulties may double the risk for obesity of a child as he or she reaches the age of 15, as reported by Doctor Tipster.
Sleep disordered breathing is considered to be a risk factor to child obesity. The condition includes sleep apnea and snoring. Parents of children in the study were asked to provide information involving their child’s sleep duration and sleep disordered breathing symptoms since birth until the child reaches the age of 6 years. Data on body mass index (BMI) were also obtained. The study showed that those with a higher BMI and with severe sleep disordered breathing symptoms are at the greatest risk of getting obese. Their chance to become obese as they reach the age of 7 to 15 years old is twice as much as those who are symptomatic with sleep disordered breathing condition.
