The authors survey the current literature on the impact of obesity on phonation and how excessive weight, weight loss, and weight fluctuation may impact voice quality and endurance. After reviewing the increasing prevalence of obesity and its implications for voice dysfunction, they discuss the current understanding of clinical anatomy and physiology of the voice; medical history and physical examination for patients with voice disorders; obesity, body size, and the voice; the effects of obesity on sex hormones and related effects on the voice in obese individuals; respiration and its importance in phonation; the relationship between obesity and respiration and consequences for phonation; laryngopharyngeal reflux, the relationship between reflux and obesity, and effects on the larynx and voice; nutrition and its relationship to the voice; and the effects of weight loss, "yo-yo" dieting, and bariatric surgery on the voice. Annotation ©2019 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)
