Australians are facing sleep deprivation by putting on those extra pounds on their flesh. An NSW sleep clinic has showed an analysis on 20 years of records, which revealed that while the patient obesity levels increased; they started developing breathing-related sleep disorders. Dr. Jeffery Pretto, and colleagues said, “There is a continuing trend towards increasing body weight ... in people undergoing diagnostic sleep studies”.

According to the research, increasing obesity is the main reason behind sleep-disordered breathing. John Hunter Hospital, in Newcastle operated the adult sleep disorder service, and for conducting a sleep assessment about
14,500 patients checked into the service from 1987 to 2007.

People face the problem of disrupted sleep, as individual's airway collapses, which rouses them. As per the research, male patients suffered an additional 5.5 difficult breathing events, with every unit increase on the body mass index. Women had an additional 2.8 events of problematic breathing, with the same increase in the body mass index.

As far as the obesity levels of the Australia were concerned, it was very close to the US levels. But less overweight people were seeking treatment for their sleep-related problems.

In the next few years, there will be an increased demand for sleep laboratory services as well as treatment provision, in Australia.