Sleep Duration And Obesity: Impact Of Demographics, Socioeconomic Status, Health Behaviors, And Health Status

Abstract

Introduction Many studies have shown that sleep duration is associated with obesity. However, this relationship across groups is unclear and may be affected by demographics, socioeconomics, or aspects of health. Methods/Results Nationally-representative data from the 2016 BRFSS was used. Obesity was calculated as BMI≥30. Sleep duration was categorized as very short (≤4), short (5-6), normal (7-8), and long (≥9). Covariates included demographics, socioeconomics, health risk factors, and health status. Weighted logistic regression examined 5 models. Whether relationships depended on covariates were evaluated with interaction terms and followed up by stratified analyses. See Table 2 for associations between sleep duration and obesity across 5 models. In all models, very short, short, and long sleep were all associated with obesity, with very short sleep carrying the greatest risk. As the number of covariates increased, the analytic samples were smaller. Very short and short sleep effects were strongest in the youngest adults. Relationships were stronger in women. Sedentary individuals, heavy drinkers, and smokers demonstrated a weaker relationship. Lack of care was associated with a stronger relationship. Conclusion Both short and long sleep are associated with obesity. However, this relationship depends on factors such as age, sex, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and health. Conclusion Both short and long sleep are associated with obesity. However, this relationship depends on factors such as age, sex, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and health.