Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Multiple Anthropometric Indices of General Obesity and Abdominal Obesity among Young Adults

Abstract

Objective: To examine the associations between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and obesity among young adults.

Design and Methods: A total of 2911 college students in Thailand participated in the study. Anthropometric measurements and blood pressure were taken by trained research staff.

Results: Overall, 6.3% of college students had OSA determined by the Berlin Questionnaire, 9.6% were overweight (BMI: 25-29 kg/m²), 4.5% were obese (BMI≥30 kg/m²); 12.4% had abdominal obesity (men: waist circumference≥90 cm; women: waist circumference≥80 cm). There were significant associations between OSA and overweight (odds ratio (OR)=1.72; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.04-1.85) and obesity (OR=24.23; 95% CI=15.20-38.61), independent of demographic and lifestyle factors, blood pressure, and psychological distress. Students with OSA were more likely to have abdominal obesity than those without OSA (OR=2.09; 95% CI=1.19-3.67). OSA was significantly related to joint effects of general and abdominal obesity. The OSA-obesity associations were robust and evident for both genders, individuals with normal and elevated blood pressure, and those with and without psychological distress.

Conclusions: This study shows independent associations of OSA with general and abdominal obesity among young adults. OSA could be a risk factor for obesity and consequent cardiovascular morbidities; OSA screening and treatment might be important for young adults.