Childhood Obesity - Do you have an overweight child? We offer tips to help your child lose weight and get fit!

The My Overweight Child blog will help you keep informed about the latest research, findings, and resources available to parents of overweight or obese kids. There are many knowledgeable people working on the increasingly dire problem of childhood obesity - and we want to give parents a place where they can check in regularly to see the latest studies and tips available to help you help your child lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

We invite you to add your comments - if you have feedback for the blog, would like some specific topics covered, or you just want to share your experience as a parent dealing with childhood obesity.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Childhood Overweight Linked to Sleep Problems

A study of 700 children found that the overweight children were more likely to have sleep-disordered breathing problems.

Dr. Edward Bixler and his colleagues at Penn State University College of Medicine said that sleep-disordered breathing is linked to behavioral problems, hyperactivity, and falling asleep in school.

"Because sleep-disordered breathing in children is not just the outcome of anatomical abnormalities, treatment strategies should consider alternative options, such as weight loss and correction of nasal problems," Dr. Bixler wrote in the journal Sleep.

Dr. Bixler's findings are similar to those of Dr. Judith Owens, whose 2008 research project explored the link between sleep disorders, ADHD, and weight problems in children.

Labels: research, overweight children, sleep disorders

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Wednesday, June 03, 2009

Large Waist Size, BMI are Risk Factors for Sleep Disorders in Kids

A study published in the June 1st issue of the journal SLEEP found that waist size and BMI (Body Mass Index) are consistent, independent risk factors for all severity levels of sleep disordered breathing (SDB) in children.
According to principal investigator Edward O. Bixler, PhD, of Penn State University College of Medicine in Hershey, Penn., it is assumed that the primary mechanism of SDB in children is the presence of large tonsils or adenoids. The study suggests, however, that the causes of SDB in children are more complex, that there may be a systematic influence of obesity. (Source: Red Orbit)
The study included data from 700 children between the ages of five and 12 years who were monitored for one nine-hour period in a sleep laboratory. Obesity-related sleep disorders can inflict severe damage on an individual's health, and are among the many health problems facing overweight and obese teens.

Labels: health problems, bmi, sleep disorders, waist size

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