An increasing number of children in the U.K. are becoming so obese that they have to be put on ventilators at night to ensure they keep breathing while they sleep. The children, weighing as much as four times their ideal weight, are considered morbidly obese.
"Many of the children will need to sleep attached to a breathing machine every night for the rest of their lives and doctors warn that they are at 'huge risk' of dying because they cannot get enough oxygen."
The added weight on the chest makes it difficult for the child to breathe, as does the extra fat around the airway. For many of these children, stomach surgery is the only way they'll be able to reduce their weight and reduce many of the risks associated with childhood obesity. Source: U.K. Sunday Times