The Relationship of Obesity and Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is a common disorder, and obesity is a known risk factor for its development. The prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide, and a corresponding increase in the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea and its cardiovascular and noncardiovascular consequences is likely. This article reviews the established evidence supporting obesity as a risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea and discusses the evidence suggesting that obesity is also a consequence of obstructive sleep apnea. There is evidence that treating obesity reduces the severity of obstructive sleep apnea and that treating obstructive sleep apnea decreases obesity. However, the evidence does not support a sustained correlation between weight loss and improvement in sleep-disordered breathing.