What is a common risk factor associated with sleep apnea?

Being of advanced age is a well-documented risk factor associated with sleep apnea, particularly obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). As individuals age, the muscle tone in the upper airway can decrease, making it more prone to collapse during sleep. Additionally, age-related changes in body composition, such as increased fat distribution around the neck and a decrease in lung capacity, can contribute to the development or worsening of sleep apnea.

The prevalence of sleep apnea is particularly high among older adults, highlighting the significance of age as a risk factor. In general, age correlates with an increase in comorbidities that can exacerbate sleep-disordered breathing, such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and other respiratory issues.

Other options such as low body weight and high physical activity levels typically do not align with common risk factors for sleep apnea. In fact, low body weight is generally associated with a reduced risk of developing sleep apnea. Short sleep duration, while impacting overall health and well-being, is not a direct risk factor for the condition in the same way that advanced age is. Thus, the relationship between increased age and the likelihood of developing sleep apnea is well-established in clinical research.