Apnea and Obesity

It is estimated that 1 in 5 people (both adults and children) in the US have some form of sleep disrodered breathing. One of the major contributing factors is obesity. Obesity creates redundant neck and midsection fat deposits and can constrict the airway.  The interesting data is that obstructive apnea has risen across the nation over the past several decades along with obesity. The following images track the trend in national obesity.