Does Sleep Apnea Cause Weight Gain? Understanding the Link Between Sleep and Weight

Understanding the connection between sleep apnea and weight gain can help individuals take proactive steps toward managing their health. This article explores sleep apnea and how it relates to weight gain and answers the pressing question: Does sleep apnea cause weight gain?

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. The most common type, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), occurs when throat muscles intermittently relax and partially or completely block the airway. This condition leads to fragmented sleep and reduced oxygen levels in the blood (1).

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

• Loud snoring
• Episodes of stopped breathing during sleep
• Gasping for air during sleep
• Waking up feeling unrefreshed
• Morning headaches
• Excessive daytime sleepiness and fatigue

How Sleep Apnea Relates to Weight Gain

OSA has significant implications on cardiovascular health and quality of life. The most common causes of OSA in adults are obesity, being male, and advancing age (2). Moreover, untreated sleep apnea may be working against your weight loss efforts!

There is a bidirectional relationship between sleep apnea and weight gain. Here’s how sleep apnea can contribute to weight gain:

1. Hormonal Imbalances: Sleep apnea affects the balance of hormones related to hunger and appetite. Interrupted sleep increases ghrelin levels, a hormone that stimulates appetite, and decreases leptin levels, which signal fullness. This imbalance can increase appetite (especially for calorically-dense foods high in carbohydrates)  and weight gain (3,4). 
2. Decreased Energy Levels: Poor sleep quality results in fatigue, reducing motivation for physical activity. Less exercise combined with an increased appetite contributes to weight gain.
3. Insulin Resistance: Sleep apnea is associated with insulin resistance, which occurs when cells don’t respond well to insulin and cannot easily take up glucose from the blood. This leads to higher blood sugar levels and can contribute to weight gain and obesity over time (5,6).
4. Metabolism Changes: Chronic sleep deprivation alters metabolism, lowering the rate at which calories are burned. This metabolic slowdown makes it easier to gain weight even if caloric intake does not increase significantly (7).

Answering the Question: Does Sleep Apnea Cause Weight Gain?

The evidence points towards a strong association between sleep apnea and weight gain. While sleep apnea doesn't directly cause weight gain, the resulting hormonal imbalances, decreased energy levels, insulin resistance, and metabolic changes create a perfect storm that may make it difficult to lose weight or even promote weight gain.

Managing sleep apnea through medical intervention, lifestyle changes, and weight management strategies can help break this cycle. Treatments like Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy, weight loss, and maintaining a healthy sleep routine are critical steps in mitigating the effects of sleep apnea and preventing weight gain. Talk with your doctor if you think you may have sleep apnea and could benefit from treatment.

Key Takeaways For Managing Sleep-Related Weight Gain

Understanding the intricate link between sleep apnea and weight gain allows for better management and prevention strategies. If you suspect you have sleep apnea or are experiencing unexplained weight gain, seeking professional medical advice is crucial. Mochi Health provides personalized care plans that address sleep disorders and weight management, helping you achieve lasting health outcomes. Find out if you’re eligible for the program today.

Sources:

1. Slowik JM, Sankari A, Collen JF. Obstructive Sleep Apnea. [Updated 2024 Mar 21]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459252/
2. Tufik, S., Santos-Silva, R., Taddei, J. A., & Bittencourt, L. R. (2010). Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in the Sao Paulo Epidemiologic Sleep Study. Sleep medicine, 11(5), 441–446. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2009.10.005
3. Spiegel, K., Tasali, E., Penev, P., & Van Cauter, E. (2004). Brief communication: Sleep curtailment in healthy young men is associated with decreased leptin levels, elevated ghrelin levels, and increased hunger and appetite. Annals of internal medicine, 141(11), 846–850. https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-141-11-200412070-00008
4. Taheri, S., Lin, L., Austin, D., Young, T., & Mignot, E. (2004). Short Sleep Duration Is Associated with Reduced Leptin, Elevated Ghrelin, and Increased Body Mass Index. PLoS Medicine, 1(3), e62. 
5. Punjabi N. M. (2008). The epidemiology of adult obstructive sleep apnea. Proceedings of the American Thoracic Society, 5(2), 136–143. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmid/18250205/
6. Ip, M. S., Lam, B., Ng, M. M., Lam, W. K., Tsang, K. W., & Lam, K. S. (2002). Obstructive sleep apnea is independently associated with insulin resistance. American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine, 165(5), 670–676. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11874812/‍
7. Sharma, S., & Kavuru, M. (2010). Sleep and metabolism: an overview. International journal of endocrinology, 2010, 270832. https://doi.org/10.1155/2010/270832