Gender, obesity risk factors for snoring

PERTH, Australia, Dec. 13 (UPI) -- An Australian study confirms that male gender, obesity and weight gain are key determinants of habitual snoring in the adult population.

In 1981 Australian researchers surveyed 967 non-snoring adults ages 25 to 74 regarding their gender, age, respiratory/allergy symptoms and habits related to snoring, smoking, and alcohol, tea and coffee consumption. Body-size measurements and lung function were also measured. Participants completed a follow-up survey 14 years later.

Overall, 13 percent of participants became habitual snorers.

Results indicated that male gender and baseline body mass index were significant predictors of developing habitual snoring.

Change in BMI over the follow-up period, development of asthma and initiation of smoking were additional independent risk factors for the development of habitual snoring, according to the study published in the journal Chest.