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. 2014 Jul;2(3):89-99.
doi: 10.11114/ijsss.v2i3.439.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Multiple Anthropometric Indices of General Obesity and Abdominal Obesity among Young Adults

Xiaoli Chen  1 , Wipawan C Pensuksan  2 , Vitool Lohsoonthorn  3 , Somrat Lertmaharit  4 , Bizu Gelaye  1 , Michelle A Williams  1
Affiliations

Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Multiple Anthropometric Indices of General Obesity and Abdominal Obesity among Young Adults

Xiaoli Chen et al. Int J Soc Sci Stud. 2014 Jul.

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and obesity among young adults. A total of 2911 college students in Thailand participated in the study. Anthropometric measurements and blood pressure were taken by trained research staff. Overall, 6.3% of college students had OSA determined by the Berlin Questionnaire, 9.6% were overweight (BMI: 25-29 kg/m2), 4.5% were obese (BMI≥30 kg/m2); 12.4% had abdominal obesity (men: waist circumference≥90 cm; women: waist circumference≥80 cm). There were significant associations between OSA and overweight (odds ratio (OR)=1.72; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.04-1.85) and obesity (OR=24.23; 95% CI=15.20-38.61), independent of demographic and lifestyle factors, blood pressure, and psychological distress. Students with OSA were more likely to have abdominal obesity than those without OSA (OR=2.09; 95% CI=1.19-3.67). OSA was significantly related to joint effects of general and abdominal obesity. The OSA-obesity associations were robust and evident for both genders, individuals with normal and elevated blood pressure, and those with and without psychological distress. This study shows independent associations of OSA with general and abdominal obesity among young adults. OSA could be a risk factor for obesity and consequent cardiovascular morbidities. OSA screening and treatment might be important for young adults.

Keywords: Asia; Thailand; abdominal obesity; college student; obesity; obstructive sleep apnea.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Associations of obstructive sleep apnea with the joint effects of general and abdominal obesity among 2911 college students in Thailand.
Figure 1
Figure 1
Associations of obstructive sleep apnea with the joint effects of general and abdominal obesity among 2911 college students in Thailand.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Associations of obstructive sleep apnea with the joint effects of general and abdominal obesity among 2911 college students in Thailand, according to gender distribution
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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