Relationship of obstructive sleep apnea with oxygen consumption, physical activity, and diet

Objective: To evaluate the maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max), physical activity level, food consumption and quality of life in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Methods: Descriptive qualitative and quantitative study with cross-sectional analysis based on the application of structured questionnaires, carried out in a private clinic at Petrolina, PE, Brazil. Quality of life was assessed by the WHOQOL-bref, food consumption using the form of food consumption markers contained in the SISVAN Protocol, and the level of physical activity by the IPAQ short version. Results: Of the 16 included patients, 6 had no OSA, 4 had mild OSA, 2 had moderate OSA, and 4 had severe OSA. Sedentary lifestyle was prevalent in 20% of the patients with mild OSA, in 50% of those with moderate OSA and in 75% of those with severe OSA. Healthy food consumption prevailed in all groups, with a higher consumption of unhealthy foods in the severe OSA group. A predominance of regular quality of life was identified in all groups, especially needing to improve the physical domain of all of them. Both VO2max and the anaerobic threshold showed reduced values as the severity of the disease increased, with lower values in patients with the most severe form of the disease. Conclusion: An inverse relationship was found between more severe OSA with VO2max and the levels of physical activity of the patients analyzed. There is a greater consumption of unhealthy foods with poor diet and sedentary behavior that are important risk factors for the development and worsening of the disease.