Sleep apnoea is a serious condition that disrupts sleep and strains the heart. A large analysis of data from 2242 adults found that non-surgical weight loss interventions helped lower the severity of this breathing disorder. The study looked at how much breathing stopped during sleep and measured changes in body weight and blood pressure.
The results showed clear short-term benefits. Breathing interruptions decreased significantly, and participants lost weight. Their waistlines and neck circumferences also shrank, which often helps open airways. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings improved as well.
However, the certainty of this evidence was rated as very low. The benefits were most robust in the short to mid-term. High differences between the various studies made it hard to draw firm conclusions. We need high-quality research with extended follow-up to confirm if these improvements last over time.
Non-surgical weight loss constitutes a viable short-to-midterm strategy for improving sleep apnoea severity and cardiometabolic health. It should be integrated as a foundational component of initial management, with emphasis on long-term weight maintenance.
