Association of the weight-adjusted waist index and obstructive sleep apnea in adults

The weight-adjusted waist index (WWI) has gained attention as an innovative anthropometric metric that may offer superior assessment of central obesity compared to conventional measures. This study aims to explore the correlation between WWI and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) across a broad range of the American population, seeking to uncover any potential associations between these variables. Using a weighted multivariate logistic regression approach, the analysis examined the association between WWI and OSA among adult participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Data collection spanned 2 intervals: 2005 to 2008 and 2015 to 2020. The study employed smoothed curve fitting, subgroup analyses, threshold effect assessments, and interaction tests to conduct a thorough investigation. This comprehensive methodology enabled an in-depth exploration of the relationship between the variables. Among 21,382 participants, the study identified a significant association between WWI and OSA, with an odds ratio of 1.38 (95% confidence interval: 1.27, 1.51). Notably, there were significant interactions across gender and age groups, but not within subgroups based on hypertension, diabetes, or body mass index status. Furthermore, a U-shaped correlation between WWI and OSA was observed in elderly individuals, while an inverted U-shaped pattern emerged among males, with inflection points at 10.45 cm/√kg for the elderly and 12.49 cm/√kg for males. The higher WWI ratio is nonlinearly associated with OSA among adults in the US. Implementing moderate interventions to manage WWI may help reduce the incidence of OSA, especially in individuals aged 70 and older.