Sleep and obesity-known interactions and open questions

Area of Science:

• Sleep Medicine
• Obesity Research
• Cardiometabolic Health

Background:

• Sleep and obesity are bidirectionally linked, impacting cardiometabolic health and sleep disorder development.
• Insufficient sleep, insomnia, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are associated with obesity through various mechanisms.
• Obesity is a primary cause of OSA, affecting airway anatomy and respiratory control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current evidence on the relationship between sleep disorders and obesity.
• To explore the pathophysiology, clinical implications, and emerging therapies for these conditions.
• To highlight the potential of integrated management for comorbid obesity and OSA (COBOSA).

Main Methods:

• Literature review synthesizing current evidence.
• Analysis of pathophysiological mechanisms linking sleep and obesity.
• Evaluation of emerging therapeutic strategies, including pharmacotherapy and traditional treatments.

Main Results:

• Insufficient sleep consistently links to weight gain via hormonal, behavioral, and metabolic pathways.
• Obesity significantly drives OSA development; OSA's effect on weight is less clear.
• Incretin-based therapies show promise in improving both weight and OSA severity, complementing traditional treatments like CPAP and lifestyle modification.

Conclusions:

• Effective obesity management is crucial in sleep medicine, requiring multidisciplinary approaches.
• Promoting adequate sleep is vital for weight management and overall health.
• Further research is needed on optimal treatment integration, response heterogeneity, and long-term outcomes for comorbid conditions.