A study on health and the association between overweight/obesity and otorhinolaryngological diseases in 6- to 17-year-old children from Wrocław, Poland

Abstract

Introduction: Childhood overweight and obesity have become a global problem in the past three decades. There are very few studies which examine the correlation between body mass index (BMI) and the development of otorhinolaryngological diseases in children. The objective of the study was to determine the association between overweight or obesity in children and the occurrence of otorhinolaryngological diseases. Material and methods: The survey study was based on a parent-reported multidisciplinary questionnaire on children's medical status among elementary and junior high school children in the city of Wrocław, the capital city of Poland's Lower Silesia region. The children were taking part in the prohealth campaign "Let's Get the Kids Moving". Results: The study was conducted among 2,913 children. A statistically significant correlation was observed between the assessment of the children's BMI and the occurrence of adenoid hypertrophy. Adenoid hypertrophy was more common in the overweight and obese children. The children with adenoid hypertrophy had higher BMI than the children without adenoid hypertrophy. There was a statistically significant correlation between BMI and the incidence of adenoidectomy. There was a statistically significant correlation between BMI and the incidence of tonsillectomy. Conclusions: The development and introduction of preventive programs like "Let's Get the Kids Moving" in the future will contribute to building a healthier society. The study findings suggest that primal prevention may lead to a decrease in the development of otorhinolaryngological diseases. Our research indicates that higher body mass correlates with higher prevalence of otorhinolaryngological diseases. Overweight and obesity may be considered as a potential contributor to the development of those conditions. Further studies are needed to establish the etiopathology of this association. Our further future studies will focus on longitudinal assessments of weight, height, BMI and otorhinolaryngological diseases in order to establish trends and changes in overweight and obesity and the development of non-communicable diseases in the pediatric population of Wrocław.

Serum leptin and adiponectin function as indicators of allergic sensitization in pediatric adenotonsillar hypertrophy

“…Nonetheless, the pathophysiological mechanisms linking allergy and ATH remain uncertain. Although studies suggested chronic in ammation in local adeno-tonsillar tissue is characterized in children with obesity and ATH [4,7,16], the direct role of obesity has not been elucidated which may interact with both allergy and ATH [5,6,10]. We found that leptin and L/A ratio were signi cantly higher in children with ATH, and atopic children were characterized by increased leptin level and L/A ratio and decreased adiponectin level.…”

“…Obesity in childhood is considered to be related to increased risk of otorhinolaryngological diseases [5]. Recent studies have discovered that children with obesity have a higher prevalence of ATH compared to peers with normal weight [5,6].…”

“…Obesity in childhood is considered to be related to increased risk of otorhinolaryngological diseases [5]. Recent studies have discovered that children with obesity have a higher prevalence of ATH compared to peers with normal weight [5,6]. Allergic disorders have been frequently demonstrated in pediatric ATH, and a link between obesity and allergic disorders and their interactions in ATH have aroused increasing attentions.…”

Analysis of Risk Factors for Otitis Media with Effusion in Children with Adenoid Hypertrophy

“…13 This is consistent with the previous studies that have suggested a possible association between obesity and adenotonsillar hypertrophy. 6,7 Adipose tissue deposited around the pharynx and neck, along with hypertrophic adenoids largely plays a part in obstructive sleep apnea(OSA) in obese children. 7,[15][16][17] Therefore, obese or overweight AH children are more likely to have symptoms such as snoring and openmouth breathing getting their parents' attention to accepting further treatment in the hospital.…”

“…4 The global prevalence of obesity has tripled over the past decade, both in adults and children. 5,6 Previous studies 6,7 have suggested a possible relationship between adenotonsillar hypertrophy and obesity rates. Nevertheless, considering the small sample size, the correlation between obesity and adenoid hypertrophy is worthy of further study.…”