Abstract
Objectives:To investigate the role of obesity and weight gain on development of sleep problems in a population-based cohort.
Method: A population-based sample of men (n=1,896, aged 40-79 years) and women (n=5,116, age >20years) responded to questionnaires at baseline and follow-up after 10-13 years. Sleep problems were assessed by questions of difficulties in inducing sleep (DIS), difficulties maintaining sleep (DMS), excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and insomnia. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from self-reported weight and height at both baseline and follow-up while confounding factors (physical activity, tobacco and alcohol use, somatic disease and snoring) were based on responses at baseline.
Results: Subjects in the quartile with the highest rise in BMI with a weight gain exceeding 2.06 kg/m2, had a higher risk to develop DMS (Adj. OR, 95% CI) (1.57, 1.24-1.98), EDS (2.23, 1.64-3.02) and insomnia (2.51, 1.48-4.27). Weight gain was not associated with development of DIS. Overweight and obese subjects reported more DIS, DMS and EDS at baseline but there was no independent association between BMI-level at baseline and development of new sleep problems.
Increasing age was independently associated with an increased risk of developing DIS (adj. OR 95% CI /10 years) (1.17, 1.07-1.29 but a reduced risk of developing DMS (0.92, 0.85-0.98), EDS (0.79, 0.72-0.87) and insomnia (0.80, 0.69-0.94).
Conclusions: Weight gain is an independent risk factor for development of several sleep problems and daytime sleepiness. The presence of overweight and weight gain should be taken into account when treating patients with sleep problems.
- © 2014 ERS