Scale Up Your Practice by Obesity Canada

Understanding the connection between sleep & obesity with Dr. Michael Mak


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Psychiatrist and sleep medicine specialist Dr. Michael Mak returns to explore how sleep health fits into the patient journey of obesity care.


For many people living with obesity, sleep challenges are part of the story—but they’re often left out of the care conversation. In this episode, we take a practical look at how poor sleep contributes to obesity, how obesity impacts sleep, and what clinicians can do to better support patients at every step.


From hormones and appetite to mood, behaviour, and stigma, we unpack the science and systems that shape sleep—and why it’s time to treat sleep as a vital sign.


In this episode:

  • Why sleep is a foundational pillar of health—and often overlooked in care

  • The bidirectional relationship between sleep and obesity

  • How mental health and sleep disorders complicate obesity care

  • Simple screening questions and when to refer for sleep testing

  • Strategies for supporting behaviour change and self-advocacy around sleep

    • Where bias and stigma show up—and how to shift the conversation
    • What better sleep-informed obesity care could look like in the future

  • Additional resources:

    • Obesity Canada’s Weight Bias Resources: https://utm.guru/uiFBU 

    • Canadian Adult Obesity Clinical Practice Guidelines: https://utm.guru/uiFBX 

    • Free course: Introduction to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Behaviour Change in Obesity Care: https://utm.guru/uiFBY 

    • Free CBT for Insomnia App: CBTI Coach

  • Download on the Apple App store: https://utm.guru/uiFB4 

    Download on the Google Play store: https://utm.guru/uiFB5 


    📩 Send us your questions or topic requests: [email protected]


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    Thanks for listening—and stay tuned as we continue to scale up your practice.

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    Scale Up Your Practice by Obesity CanadaBy Obesity Canada