Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Intraperitoneal Glucose Tolerance Test, Measurement of Lung Function, and Fixation of the Lung to Study the Impact of Obesity and Impaired Metabolism on Pulmonary Outcomes
08:30

Intraperitoneal Glucose Tolerance Test, Measurement of Lung Function, and Fixation of the Lung to Study the Impact of Obesity and Impaired Metabolism on Pulmonary Outcomes

Published on: March 15, 2018

Insulin and obstructive sleep apnea in obese Chinese children

Albert M Li1, Michael H M Chan, Dorothy F Y Chan

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR. albertmli@cuhk.edu.hk

Pediatric Pulmonology
|October 13, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is common in obese children who snore. Insulin levels are linked to OSA in this group, suggesting a role in potential cardiovascular issues.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Metabolic Disorders

Background:

  • Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is linked to insulin resistance and dyslipidemia in adults.
  • Childhood obesity is a growing concern with potential long-term health consequences.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the correlation between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), serum lipid profiles, and insulin levels in obese children who snore.
  • To determine the prevalence of OSA in this pediatric population.

Main Methods:

  • Recruitment of obese children with habitual snoring.
  • Inclusion of physical examination, overnight polysomnography (PSG), and metabolic studies.
  • Diagnosis of OSA based on apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) > 1.0; moderate to severe OSA defined as AHI > 10.

Main Results:

  • Ninety-four obese, snoring children (73% male, median age 12.0 years) were studied.
  • Sixty subjects (64%) were diagnosed with OSA (47 mild, 13 moderate to severe).
  • Logistic regression showed significant associations between OSA and both oxygen saturation nadir and serum insulin levels.

Conclusions:

  • Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is prevalent in obese children who snore.
  • Insulin levels are independently associated with OSA in this pediatric cohort.
  • Further research is warranted to explore insulin's role in cardiovascular complications of childhood sleep apnea.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Multidisciplinary Approach to Obesity Management: A Case Report05:10

Multidisciplinary Approach to Obesity Management: A Case Report

Published on: May 30, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Sleep Apnea01:21

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing stops intermittently during sleep, often leading to significant health issues. Each episode can last from 10 to 20 seconds or more and is frequently accompanied by a brief arousal from sleep. This disturbance, largely unnoticed by the individual, can lead to severe daytime fatigue. Commonly, individuals seek help after being informed by their partners about loud snoring and noticeable breathing pauses during sleep.
The condition is more prevalent among...
Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution01:25

Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution

Obesity significantly alters the pharmacokinetic processes of drug absorption and distribution, presenting unique challenges in medical treatment. The increased fat tissue and decreased lean muscle in obese individuals can significantly affect how drugs are absorbed into the body and distributed across different tissues. This alteration can lead to variances in the effectiveness and safety of medications, necessitating adjustments in dosing or drug selection for obese patients.One notable...
Obesity01:24

Obesity

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in adipocytes...
Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion01:20

Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion

Drug metabolism, a critical process in the liver, involves two primary phases: Phase I reactions and Phase II conjugation. Obesity introduces significant alterations in this metabolic process, primarily due to fatty infiltration of the liver, leading to conditions such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This condition can modify the activities of both Phase I and II enzymes, impacting how drugs are metabolized in obese patients.Phase I metabolism sees variable effects across...
Drug Dosing: Obese Patients01:21

Drug Dosing: Obese Patients

In the United States, obesity is a prominent concern. It is linked to heightened mortality rates due to increased occurrences of conditions such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and diabetes compared to nonobese individuals. A patient is classified as obese if their actual body weight surpasses the ideal or desirable body weight by 20%, based on Metropolitan Life Insurance Company data. Ideal body weights consider average weights and heights for males and females...
Insulin: Dosing Regimen and Adverse Effects01:16

Insulin: Dosing Regimen and Adverse Effects

Insulin-replacement therapy usually includes both long-acting insulin (basal) and short-acting insulin (to cater to postprandial needs). In a diverse group of type 1 diabetes patients, the average daily insulin dose is typically 0.5-0.7 units/kg body weight. However, obese patients and pubertal adolescents may need more due to insulin resistance.
The basal dose constitutes about 40%-50% of the total daily dose, with the rest as premeal insulin. The mealtime insulin dose should mirror...