In the midst of a winter cold snap, sub-zero temperatures swept across the Midwest United States and proved deadly for a man subject to episodes of sleepwalking.

In northern Wisconsin, a 51-year-old man died from exposure after wandering from his home. His family reported him missing and said he was previously prone to sleepwalking. Local law enforcement followed footprints in the snow to find him about 190 yards from his house.

It is a good reminder to ensure the safety of loved ones -- especially children who sleepwalk -- who may not be able to protect themselves from their actions while asleep.

For many it is as much a part of the daily routine as a morning cup of coffee: drifting off to sleep to the wisecracks of Leno or Letterman, or another selection from hundreds of channels of latter evening programming. But could these late-night television shows be ruining your sleep?

Sleep experts recommend reserving the bedroom space for only sleep and sexual activity, yet many of us also have televisions there. It is likely that this leads to some level of sleep disruption. The persistent stimuli may delay the onset of sleep, cutting into an already sub-optimal total sleep time. Moreover, once we fall asleep the noise may keep us in lighter stages longer. If one awakens in the presence of external stimuli, the degree of consciousness may be increased, and sleep may be further disrupted.

If you are having difficulties with daytime sleepiness or insomnia, it may be time to boot the television from the bedroom.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, part of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more Americans are now classified as obese than the less weighty designation of overweight.

The statistics come from a 2005-2006 survey and show that 34 percent of American adults are now obese, compared to 32.7 percent who are overweight. These designations are calculated using the body mass index (BMI), with a BMI of 25 to 29 classified as overweight, 30 to 40 as obese, and greater than 40 as morbidly obese.

The report highlights that the prevalence of obesity has more than doubled since 1980, with the prevalence of overweight remaining stable. In May, the CDC reported that 32 percent of U.S. children were overweight, 16 percent were obese, and 11 percent were extremely obese.

Individuals who are overweight and obese have increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, and many other conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea.

Health experts are encouraging diabetics to be screened for sleep apnea after a recent study shows that nearly one in three have the disorder.

In a report in the journal Endocrine Practice, researchers examined 279 individuals with type 2 diabetes and found that 36 percent had obstructive sleep apnea. Men with diabetes were especially susceptible. They had a one-third increased risk of sleep apnea below age 45, and this risk doubled in men over age 65. Though women had a lesser incidence, it likewise increased substantially with age.

This underscores the importance of screening diabetics for sleep apnea -- and sleep apneics for diabetes -- as the two conditions seem to commonly occur together. Moreover, treatment of sleep apnea can be of paramount importance in managing an individual's diabetes.