Introduction. Oveweight and obesity may be connected with some congenital deseases or with the imbalance of energy intake and its expenditure. In 1997 WHO defined obesity as a pandemia involving not only adults but also the population of children and adolescents. Obesity is supposed to be connected with different aspects of oral health (periodontitis, caries, xerostomia) and respiratory deseases. Aim. The aim of the study is to investigate the occurence of respiratory defects, bad habits and oral dysfunctions as impaired speech, chewing and swallowing, in the group of obese children in comparison with the group with proper BMI index. Material and methods. 120 children aged from 7–15; 60 children with alimentary (simple) overweight/obesity including 26 girls and 34 boys (mean age 10 ± 10 months). The control group was composed of the same numer of children adjusted by gender and age to the study sample. Results and conclusions. Inproper speech, swallowing and chewing prevalence in both groups was similar (p = 0.547). Parafunctions (bad habits) occurence was higher in overweight group (p = 0,067) however without statistical difference. Upper respiratory problems were statistically more prevalent in the overweight group (p = 0.023 with coefficient C = 0,203).

Key words: overweight, obesity, upper airway disorders.