Is Obesity Keeping Your Child From Quality Sleep?

Obesity and lack of sleep can be a troublesome combination for your child, but a sleep study at The Children’s Hospital may help.

With obesity rates in children at an all-time high, children become at risk for a number of health problems, including sleep disorders. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately seven percent of overweight children suffer from a condition known as obstructive sleep apnea.

What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder characterized by airflow obstruction during attempted breathing efforts while sleeping. Children with this condition often snore heavily and experience labored breathing, making it difficult to get the rest they need for optimal daily function.

“Obesity places kids at a higher risk for sleep apnea, which may cause cognitive changes in children and affect school performance, I.Q. level, behavior, learning and memory,” said Ann Halbower, MD, Director of Sleep Research at Children’s. “Sleep apnea and obesity can form a cycle. While being overweight can lead to sleep apnea, lack of quality sleep also is now associated with increased rates of obesity in children.”

How We Can Help

If your child is overweight, snores at night and has shown changes in behavior, he may be a candidate for a sleep study called a polysomnogram. If abnormalities are found during the overnight study, sleep specialists can make a diagnosis and determine appropriate treatment.

For more information on sleep-related conditions, visit Sleep Disorders.