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. 2017;1(4):00019.
Epub 2017 Dec 12.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Obesity: Implications for Public Health

Shazia Jehan  1 , Ferdinand Zizi  1 , Seithikurippu R Pandi-Perumal  2 , Steven Wall  1 , Evan Auguste  3 , Alyson K Myers  4 , Girardin Jean-Louis  1 , Samy I McFarlane  5
Affiliations

Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Obesity: Implications for Public Health

Shazia Jehan et al. Sleep Med Disord. 2017.

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a global disease with a rising incidence along with its comorbidities, especially with metabolic syndrome. One of the main components contributing to sleep apnea is obesity; as well as diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM), hypercholesterolemia, and hypertension. OSA is a condition that requires management and the disease can be treated by using CPAP therapy. The awareness of this global issue is rising, and health care systems are providing preventive measures, diagnosis and the treatment options. The major preventable risk factors to decrease obesity are the awareness of lifestyle modification (eating behaviors, smoking, drinking alcohol, etc.) and understanding the importance of exercise. If these lifestyle modifications are widely applied, then not only will the consequences of obesity and sleep apnea be reduced, but also the incidence of cardiovascular disease will decrease greatly. Public awareness of the importance of weight loss by lifestyle modification or bariatric surgery to improve the quality of life is needed. These preventive actions, screening measures, and treatment strategies for obesity and OSA can significantly reduce the incidence of obesity, as well as OSA and the related comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, and depression. Finally, health care costs will also be reduced.

Keywords: Exercise; OSA; Obesity; Public health; Sleep.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: The authors declared that there are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A schematic diagram that shows the obesity and associated comorbidities.
Figure 2
Figure 2
A schematic diagram that shows the correlations between OSA, Obesity, Leptin, and Ghrelin.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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