Abstract
BackgroundObesity is considered a health problem that affects many systems of the body among which the respiration and voice. The objective of the study was to analyze the impact of obesity in children on quality of their voice. Thirty obese children were included in this cross-sectional study and compared to 30 age- and sex-matched healthy children as a control group. Voice of cases and controls were assessed subjectively by auditory perceptual assessment and objectively by studying acoustic parameters using Computerized Speech Lab. Flexible laryngoscopy was done for cases with dysphonia.ResultsDysphonia perceived in 60% of cases, voice analysis revealed increased jitter and noise to harmonic ratio with significant difference than controls.ConclusionThe voice of children with morbid obesity reveals significant modifications pertaining to vocal characteristics in comparison to non-obese persons, so voice hygiene and voice therapy could be added to their therapy program as prophylactic or therapeutic management of voice disorder.
Highlights
Obesity is considered a health problem that affects many systems of the body among which the respiration and voice
Obesity is considered as a public health problem with significant comorbidities
Evaluation of the vocal behavior of obese patients has become a subject of interest, due to the physical–pathological modifications related to obesity that compromise virtually all of the body’s systems [6]
Summary
Obesity is considered a health problem that affects many systems of the body among which the respiration and voice. The objective of the study was to analyze the impact of obesity in children on quality of their voice. Thirty obese children were included in this cross-sectional study and compared to 30 age- and sex-matched healthy children as a control group. Voice of cases and controls were assessed subjectively by auditory perceptual assessment and objectively by studying acoustic parameters using Computerized Speech Lab. Flexible laryngoscopy was done for cases with dysphonia. Obesity is considered as a public health problem with significant comorbidities. Normal voice attributes are [2] loudness (subjective sensation of intensity) adequate to the surroundings, pitch (subjective sensation of frequency) appropriate to age and gender, pleasant quality Evaluation of the vocal behavior of obese patients has become a subject of interest, due to the physical–pathological modifications related to obesity that compromise virtually all of the body’s systems [6]
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