Sedentary behaviour and sleep problems among 42,489 community-dwelling adults in six low- and middle-income countries

There is a lack of multinational research investigating the association between sleep problems and sedentary behaviour. In this study, we investigated the relationship between the time spent sedentary during waking hours and sleep problems in six low- and middle-income countries. Cross-sectional, community-based data from the Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health survey were analysed. Adjusted logistic regression analyses were undertaken to explore the relationship between self-reported sleep problems (such as difficulties falling asleep, waking up frequently during the night or waking up too early in the morning) in the last 30 days and self-reported sedentary time (categorized as <4, 4 to <8, 8 to <11 or ≥11 hr/day). Among 42,489 individuals aged ≥18 years (mean age=43.8 ± 14.4 years; 50.1% women), those who were sedentary for 8 to <11 hr/day (n = 2,782) and ≥11 hr/day (n = 674) had a 1.61 (95% confidence interval =1.03-2.50) and 1.75 (95% confidence interval =1.17-2.62) times higher odds of having sleep problems, respectively, compared with those being sedentary for less than 4 hr per day (n = 24,637). The strongest associations were observed among those aged 50-64 years. The observed associations were independent of a wide range of sociodemographic factors, physical and mental health conditions and physical activity behaviour. Considering the social and occupational costs of sleep problems, it is important that future longitudinal research should consider the directionality of the data.