Relationship between body composition and sleep-disordered breathing in schoolchildren from Valdivia, Chile

Abstract

Overnutrition in childhood constitutes a global epidemic and has been associated with multiple diseases and complications. Among them, sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) stands out, a spectrum of diseases that have emerged as a relevant health problem.

Objective: To evaluate the association between nutritional status and SDB in schoolchildren.

Subjects and Method: Cross-sectional analytical study of 127 schoolchildren randomly selected from five public schools in Valdivia, Chile. After the informed assent and informed consent process of the child and parents/guardian respectively, the students were incorporated into the study. Anthropometric measurements were performed and the presence of SDB was determined through the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ). For the data analysis, the t-test and χ2 test were used to determine the association of variables with SDB.

Results: There was a high prevalence of overnutrition (71.7%) and obesity reached 39.4%. Regarding the prevalence of SDB, it was 32.3%. There was a higher proportion of children with SDB in severely obese schoolchildren (56.3%), as well as, a significantly higher mean of biceps and triceps skinfold thickness in children with SDB (14.6 mm ± 7.3 vs. 12.0 mm ± 6.6, p = 0.002, and 19.8 ± 6.7 mm vs. 16.2 mm ± 6.0, p = 0.04, respectively).

Conclusions: There is high prevalence of overnutrition and SDB. Out of the anthropometric measurements, the presence of SDB was associated with greater thickness of the biceps and triceps skinfolds.