The relation between sleep and weight in a suburban sleep center: observations and speculations on apnea and weight

Figures & data

Table 1 Classification of weight and apnea severity

Weight (BMI)		Apnea (AHI)
Normal	≤24	Normal	≤4
Overweight	25–29	Mild	5–14
Obese	30–39	Moderate	15–29
Severely obese	≥40	Severe	30–59
		Very severe	≥60

Abbreviations: BMI, body mass index; AHI, apnea hypopnea index.

Figure 1 The distribution of patients by sex, weight and apnea severity.

Abbreviations: BMI, body mass index; AHI, apnea hypopnea index.

Figure 2 The distribution of patients by age and weight.

Table 2 Relation of weight to AHI

BMI and apnea severity
BMI	AHI (n)				Total
	5–14	15–29	30–59	≥60
≤24	24	11	7	3	45	10%
25–29	70	35	26	10	141	31%
30–39	84	46	42	32	204	45%
≥40	18	11	16	15	60	13%
Totals	196	103	91	60	450	100%

Nonobese/obese and apnea severity
BMI	AHI (n)				Total
	5–14	15–29	30–59	≥60
≤29	94	46	33	13	186	41%
≥30	102	57	58	47	264	59%
Totals	196	103	91	60	450	100%

Abbreviation: BMI, body mass index; AHI, apnea-hypopnea index.

Figure 3 Columns represent the distribution of apnea severity for each weight group. Black represents the percentage of mild (AHI 5–14), gray represents moderate (MOD) (AHI 15–29), and white represents severe and very severe (AHI ≥30) apnea. The number of patients the distributions reflect are 45 (BMI <25), 141 (BMI 25–29), 204 (BMI 30–39), and 60 (BMI ≥40).

Abbreviations: BMI, body mass index; AHI, apnea hypopnea index.