title: The reciprocal interaction between obesity and obstructive sleep apnoea.
abstract: Obesity is a significant risk factor in the pathogenesis of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) altering airway anatomy and collapsibility, and respiratory control. The association between obesity and OSA has led to an increasing focus on the role of weight loss as a potential treatment for OSA. To date, most discussion of obesity and OSA assumes a one-way cause and effect relationship, with obesity contributing to the pathogenesis of OSA. However, OSA itself may contribute to the development of obesity. OSA has a potential role in the development and reinforcement of obesity via changes to energy expenditure during sleep and wake periods, dietary habits, the neurohormonal mechanisms that control satiety and hunger, and sleep duration arising from fragmented sleep. Thus, there is emerging evidence that OSA itself feeds back into a complex mechanism that leads either to the development or reinforcement of the obese state. Whilst current evidence does not confirm that treatment of OSA directly influences weight loss, it does suggest that the potential role OSA plays in obesity and weight loss deserves further research.
authors: Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Monash Medical Centre, Victoria, Australia.
authors: Chong Weng
authors: CW
authors: Ong
authors: Denise M
authors: DM
authors: O'Driscoll
authors: Helen
authors: H
authors: Truby
authors: Matthew T
authors: MT
authors: Naughton
authors: Garun S
authors: GS
authors: Hamilton
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs