Which respiratory condition is linked to pediatric obesity?

• A. Obstructive sleep apnea
• B. Acanthosis nigricans
• C. Type 2 diabetes
• D. Hypertension

Answer: (A)

Obstructive sleep apnea is the respiratory condition most clearly linked to pediatric obesity. Excess body fat around the neck and upper airway can narrow the pharyngeal space and increase the tendency for the airway to collapse during sleep. This leads to partial or complete obstruction, snoring, interrupted sleep, and daytime symptoms such as fatigue or behavioral changes. In overweight children, these airway dynamics are more likely to occur, making sleep-disordered breathing a common obesity-related respiratory issue.

The other options point to non-respiratory effects of obesity: acanthosis nigricans is a skin finding associated with insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes is a metabolic condition, and hypertension is a cardiovascular issue. While obesity raises risk for those conditions as well, the direct respiratory link in this context is obstructive sleep apnea.