Wheezing, sleeping, and worrying: The hidden risks of asthma and obesity in school-age children

The present study investigated the co-occurrence of asthma and obesity in a sample of 193 children (mean age = 7.76 years). Specifically, this study was interested in delineating the associated comorbidities of internalizing symptoms and sleep disruptions among younger (younger than 7 years) and older elementary age children with asthma who were also overweight. Information about child internalizing symptoms (among other areas of functioning) was collected from teacher ratings of child behavior. Data regarding nighttime waking, morning symptoms, and school days missed were obtained from parent reports. Findings suggest that older elementary age children with asthma who are overweight are more likely to experience internalizing symptoms and more nighttime waking than their average weight peers. Implications include the important role of teachers in identifying these children who might be at increased risk for internalizing symptoms and the consequences of such symptoms.