Snoring children with increased overweight risk

How a vicious circle develops between snoring and being overweight

A recent American study shows the relationship between snoring and obesity in children and how these two factors influence each other. Researchers found that prolonged snoring increases the risk of obesity and overweight can lead to snoring - a vicious circle. According to the scientists, adolescents, who often snored in childhood, were more likely to become overweight and have larger waist sizes. The patients also had an elevated cholesterol level.

"These findings suggest that early intervention in children is crucial to breaking this vicious circle between poor sleep and obesity and preventing chronic diseases later in life," said Christos S. Mantzoros, study director and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in a press release on the study results. According to Mantzoros, the therapy should include both targeted weight loss and appropriate treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. The study results were published in the journal "Metabolism".

American researchers have found that snoring and obesity in children can lead to a vicious circle in which both factors favor each other. (Image: kwanchaichaiudom / fotolia.com)

The vicious circle must be broken early

"Snoring should be treated early as overweight in children, to break the vicious cycle of poor sleep, obesity and chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease later in life," advises Dr. Hermann Josef Kahl, Federal Press Spokesman of the Professional Association of Pediatricians (BVKJ).

From when do we talk about snoring?

"Experts speak of snoring in children when the sounds are clearly audible for at least four out of seven nights," explains Kahl. However, if a child suffers from an infection that obstructs the airways, and therefore snores, this is usually not worrying. Only regular snoring for no apparent reason should be clarified by a pediatrician.

What consequences can frequent snoring entail?

"Consequences of nocturnal breathing problems can be severe fatigue, headaches, school problems and behavioral problems," explains Kahl. In the diagnosis, the doctor could distinguish between consistently loud and interrupted snoring with respiratory failure. The latter is also referred to as Obstructive Sleep Apnea. (Vb)