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please don’t take this with offense, answering this question inherently involves assuming things about you. But as far as the literature i have read goes, at least 70% of OSA cases stem from obesity. [1]

As you probably know, the severity of OSA is quantified in something called the apnea-hypopnea index. For every SINGLE point of BMI reduction (5-8lbs depending on height), you achieve an AHI reduction of 6.7%. That’s absolutely massive. [2]

It’s still multifactorial, one’s anatomy can be varyingly predisposed for OSA, sometimes to the point of causing problems without obesity. But in general, that’s one hell of a bet.

!! I’m a medical student. I have not yet achieved the status of approbated physician. Please adjust your trust accordingly. I don’t think i have to spell out the difference between informed medical advice and comments on HN, my comment is already patronizing enough as is, but regardless.

[1]Resta, O., et al. "Sleep-related breathing disorders, loud snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness in obese subjects." International journal of obesity 25.5 (2001): 669-675.

[2] Fattal D, Hester S, Wendt L. Body weight and obstructive sleep apnea: a mathematical relationship between body mass index and apnea-hypopnea index in veterans. J Clin Sleep Med. 2022 Dec 1;18(12):2723-2729. doi: 10.5664/jcsm.10190. PMID: 35929587; PMCID: PMC9713905.



I'll keep saying this, but sleep apnea causes obesity. Asking someone with sleep apnea to lose weight to improve their apnea, is a helluva task.




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