Does obesity cause sleep apnea?

Yes: Obesity can cause obstructive sleep apnea (osa). A person with osa may not have enough space in the throat area, so air can't flow easily to the lungs during sleep. An obese person has more fat, including in the neck and throat areas, so there is more flesh to block air flow. An obese person lying down has extra weight in the tummy pushing up at the bottom of the chest, making breathing more work.

Not just weight: Anatomy is king. Obstructive sleep apnea happens in a small airway "box". The airway can be small if what's in it takes up space or if the box is smaller. Weight gain increases tongue size and the thickness of the side walls of the throat. Tonsils may be large. Small jaw size, often inherited , will increase the risk of osa . Low muscle tone is also a factor.