Obesity appears to increase the risk of sensorineural hearing loss in adolescents

In October 2018 researchers from the USA published the results of their study to assess whether childhood obesity is a risk factor for sensorineural hearing loss. A total of 5,638 adolescents, aged between 12 and 19, were included in the study. Research showed that whilst 13% of the normal weight adolescents had sensorineural hearing loss, this rose to 22% in obese adolescents. A further analysis revealed that possible mediating factors only had a minimal effect on the increased risk of sensorineural hearing loss in the obese adolescents.

Kohlberg GD et al. Adolescent Obesity Is an Independent Risk Factor for Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Results From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005 to 2010. Otol Neurotol. 2018 Oct;39(9):1102-1108

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