Dietary and physical activity patterns in children with obstructive sleep apnea

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Endocrinology
• Sleep Medicine
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Obesity and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are prevalent in children.
• Both conditions are associated with metabolic and hormonal dysregulation.
• Understanding their interplay with lifestyle factors is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate dietary and physical activity patterns in children with obesity, OSA, or both.
• To examine morning blood levels of ghrelin and visfatin in these pediatric populations.
• To explore the relationship between these hormones, lifestyle factors, and the co-occurrence of obesity and OSA.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study of 245 children aged 5-9 years.
• Assessment included overnight polysomnography, food/physical activity questionnaires, and fasting blood draws.
• Plasma levels of ghrelin and visfatin were measured.

Main Results:

• Obese children with OSA consumed more fast food and less healthy food (fruits, vegetables).
• These children were significantly less involved in organized sports compared to controls.
• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) showed a positive correlation with plasma ghrelin levels (R²=0.73, P<.0001), especially when obesity was present; no correlation was found with visfatin.

Conclusions:

• Obesity and OSA in children negatively influence dietary choices and physical activity.
• Elevated ghrelin levels in obese children with OSA indicate increased appetite and caloric intake.
• These findings suggest a cycle where hormonal changes exacerbate obesity and OSA severity.