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Why Weight Loss Isn’t Always Enough to Cure Sleep Apnea

June 23, 2025

If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea, especially obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), you might’ve been told that losing weight could help—or even cure—it. And while that’s partially true, the full picture is a little more complex. Weight loss can significantly improve sleep apnea symptoms, but for many people, it’s not a magic fix.1

OSA occurs when the upper airway narrows or collapses during sleep, causing breathing to repeatedly stop and start. It’s like trying to breathe through a straw that’s being squeezed shut. These pauses in breathing can happen dozens—or even hundreds—of times a night. The result? Poor quality sleep, loud snoring, excessive daytime fatigue, and serious long-term risks to your heart and brain health.2

There’s no denying the link between excess weight and sleep apnea. Fat deposits in the neck (called pharyngeal fat) can obstruct the airway, especially during sleep when muscle tone naturally decreases.1 Increased abdominal fat can also compress the chest and lungs, reducing lung volume and making it harder to breathe effectively.1 In fact, just a 10% weight gain can increase your risk of developing sleep apnea by six times.1

The good news? Weight loss helps. Even modest weight loss—around 20%—can cut the severity of OSA in half for some people.2 However, research also shows that for most patients, weight loss alone doesn’t fully resolve the condition.1 That’s because sleep apnea isn’t just about fat—it’s also about anatomy, muscle tone, age, genetics, and other underlying health factors.1

This is where treatments like continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) come in. CPAP is the usual first-line treatment for moderate to severe OSA. It uses a bedside machine to deliver a constant stream of pressurised air through a mask—keeping the upper airway open during both inhalation and exhalation. When worn consistently throughout the night, CPAP can eliminate nearly 100% of obstructive apneas and hypopneas for most patients.3

Interestingly, treating sleep apnea can actually help with weight loss too. Untreated OSA can disrupt hormones like ghrelin, which increases appetite, making it harder to lose weight.1

At the end of the day, weight loss is an important part of managing sleep apnea, but it’s rarely the whole solution. If you’re still feeling tired, snoring loudly, or waking up gasping—even after losing weight—it’s time to look deeper.

Don’t ignore the signs. If you suspect you have sleep apnea or your symptoms persist despite lifestyle changes, speak to your doctor. Getting the right treatment could transform your sleep—and your life.

How Sove CPAP Clinic Can Help

Founded in 2008, Sove CPAP Clinic has grown to become a leading provider of respiratory and sleep services and products in Australia, with over 60 clinics nationwide. Our comprehensive clinical team includes Respiratory & Sleep Specialists, Sleep Technologists, and CPAP Consultants, ensuring that you receive comprehensive and personalised care. All medical procedures, including sleep studies and lung function testing, are bulk billed to all Australians, with minimal wait time.

If you would like to speak to a Respiratory & Sleep Physician, book a bulk-billed sleep study, or seek advice for your sleep apnea, you can reach us at 1300 76 29 39 or info@thecpapclinic.com.au.

ALWAYS FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. CPAP is used for Obstructive Sleep Apnea treatment. When considering whether a sleep study or CPAP is right for you, speak to your doctor. Medicare criteria and T&Cs apply.

References

  1. Wiseman, Jill. “How Weight Affects Sleep Apnea.” Sleep Foundation, 28 Aug. 2020, www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-apnea/weight-loss-and-sleep-apnea.
  2. Malhotra, Atul, et al. “Weight Reduction and the Impact on Apnea-Hypopnea Index: A Systematic Meta-Analysis.” Sleep Medicine, vol. 121, 1 Sept. 2024, pp. 26–31, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2024.06.014.
  3. Askland, Kathleen, et al. “Educational, Supportive and Behavioural Interventions to Improve Usage of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Machines in Adults with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.” Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 7 Apr. 2020, https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd007736.pub3.