Sleep Apnea, Obesity, and Diabetes — an Intertwined Trio

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To synthesize the existing literature regarding the complex interplay between sleep disturbance, obesity, and diabetes. The review emphasizes the three pillars of health being diet, exercise, and sleep, with the notion that if one is ignored, then the other two could suffer. RECENT FINDINGS: Sleep deprivation is associated with incident obesity, perhaps mediated by dysregulation in leptin and ghrelin — hormones important in regulation of appetite. Sleep apnea is very common particularly among obese people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Treatment of sleep apnea has clear symptomatic benefits although its impact on long-term cardiometabolic health is less clear. SUMMARY: Sleep disturbance may be an important modifiable risk for patients at risk of cardiometabolic disease. An assessment of sleep health may be an important component of the comprehensive care of patients with obesity and diabetes mellitus.