The Association between Sleep Duration and Obesity in Older Adults

BACKGROUND: Reduced sleep has been reported to predict obesity in children and young adults. However, studies based on self-report have been unable to identify an association in older populations. In this study, the cross-sectional associations between sleep duration measured objectively and measures of weight and body composition were assessed in two cohorts of older adults. METHODS: Wrist actigraphy was performed for a mean (SD) of 5.2 (0.9) nights in 3055 men (age: 67–96 years) participating in the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Study (MrOS) and 4.1 (0.8) nights in 3052 women (age: 70–99 years) participating in the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures (SOF). A subgroup of 2862 men and 455 women also underwent polysomnography to measure sleep apnea severity. RESULTS: Compared to those sleeping an average of 7–8 hours per night, and after adjusting for multiple risk factors and medical conditions, a sleep duration of less than 5 hours was associated with a body mass index (BMI) that was on average 2.5 kg/m(2) (95% CI: 2.0–2.9) greater in men and 1.8 kg/m(2) (95%CI: 1.1–2.4) greater in women. The odds of obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2)) was 3.7-fold greater (95% CI: 2.7–5.0) in men and 2.3-fold greater in women (95% CI: 1.6–3.1) who slept less than 5 hours. Short sleep was also associated with central body fat distribution and increased percent body fat. These associations persisted after adjusting for sleep apnea, insomnia, and daytime sleepiness. CONCLUSIONS: In older men and women, actigraphy-ascertained reduced sleep durations are strongly associated with greater adiposity.