Sleep needs in adults are estimated to be 7 to 8 hours per night. During the last forty years, sleep duration has decreased by about 2 hours per night, as a result of our lifestyle, workload, social activities and access to technology. There are several social, economic and public health consequences due to chronic sleep deprivation. Current data suggests that sleep deprivation as well as poor quality of sleep have an impact on the incidence and prevalence of both obesity and type 2 diabetes. Screening for sleep disorders and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) should be routinely performed in an increased number of patients, particularly those at high risk, i.e. obese, diabetic and hypertensive patients.