Obstructive sleep apnea is much more common in obese individuals. It is believed that the airway of the obese individual becomes obstructed by large tonsils, enlarged tongue and increased fat in the neck, all pressing on the airway when the pharyngeal (throat) muscles are relaxed with sleep. A person's neck circumference is a good predictor of sleep apnea. Obese men with a neck circumference of 17 inches or greater, and women with a neck circumference of 16 inches or greater are more likely to have sleep apnea
Sleep apnea leads to poor sleep which may make people eat more for that reason their weight increases which ultimately increases apnea symptoms
