Snoring is associated with obesity among middle aged Slum–dwelling women in Mysore, India

BACKGROUND: Globally, rates of obesity have trebled in the past four decades. India has more than 9.8 million men and 20 million women classified as obese. While poor diet and sedentary lifestyles are major causes, growing evidence suggests other factors like sleep-disordered-breathing may also be contributors. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out between October 2017 and May 2018 among a nonprobability sample of slum-dwelling women, 40–64 years of age, in government-designated slums in Mysore, India. After the informed consent process, data were collected on sociodemographics, tobacco and alcohol consumption, diet, physical activity, sleep, quality of life, and personal and family history of diagnosed cardiometabolic disorders. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated using anthropometry. The serum was tested for HbA1c and lipid profile. RESULTS: In this sample of slum-dwelling women, snoring was associated with obesity. Habitual snorers had more than double the odds (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.05; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26–3.33; P < 0.004) of obesity I, and seven times the odds (aOR 7.71; CI: 3.58–16.62; P < 0.001) of being in the obesity II category compared to nonsnorers after adjustment for age, diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and daytime sleepiness. There was no difference in obesity status among participants reporting abnormal sleep duration, napping, daytime sleepiness, sleep apnea, insomnia, or the use of sleep medication. CONCLUSION: The relationship between snoring and obesity has not been well explored. This study among slum-dwelling Indian women found a significant relationship between snoring and obesity. Future research should explore the underlying mechanisms connecting snoring to BMI.