Strong Association Between Obesity And Increased Death Risk Tied To Sleeping Pills

Another consequence of fatosity.

Obesity appears to significantly increase the risk of death tied to sleeping pills, nearly doubling the rate of mortality even among those prescribed 18 or fewer pills in a year, researchers reported.

"Obesity emerged as a marker of increased vulnerability," said Robert Langer, M.D., M.P.H., at the annual American Heart Association's Epidemiology and Prevention | Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism 2012 Scientific Sessions in San Diego.

"The associations between sleeping pills and increased mortality were present, and relatively stronger, even in people aged 18 to 54," said Dr. Langer, a family physician and epidemiologist with the Jackson Hole Center for Preventive Medicine in Jackson, Wyo.

"Obese patients appear particularly vulnerable, perhaps through interaction with sleep apnea," said study co-author Daniel Kripke, M.D., a psychiatrist with Scripps Clinic's Viterbi Family Sleep Center in San Diego.

He noted that sleeping pills were previously associated with more and longer pauses in breathing in people with sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea = trouble sleeping.

Trouble sleeping = sleeping pill use.

Sleeping pills = greater likelihood of death.

Kudos, fatsos.