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Factors associated with short and long sleep
Christopher A Magee1, Donald C Iverson, Peter Caputi
1Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia. cmagee@uow.edu.au
Preventive Medicine
|October 24, 2009
Summary
Short (<7 hours) and long (>=9 hours) sleep durations are common in Australian adults. Factors like long working hours and obesity are linked to short sleep, while cancer or heart attack treatment is linked to long sleep.
Area of Science:
- Sleep Medicine
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Short (<7 hours) and long (>=9 hours) sleep durations are associated with increased mortality globally.
- Limited data exists on sleep patterns among Australian adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sleep habits in Australian adults aged 45-65.
- To identify socio-demographic and health-related factors associated with short and long sleep durations.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of cross-sectional, self-reported data from 49,405 Australian adults (2006-2008).
- Multinomial logistic regression models used to predict sleep duration based on various factors.
Main Results:
- 16.6% reported short sleep, 13.9% reported long sleep.
- Short sleep associated with long working hours (OR=1.17) and obesity (OR=1.29).
- Long sleep associated with recent cancer treatment (OR=1.64) and heart attack/angina (OR=1.58).
Conclusions:
- Short and long sleep durations are prevalent in middle-aged Australian adults.
- Determinants of short sleep have public health implications for preventing morbidity and mortality.
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