Association of sleep duration and sleep quality with body mass index among young adults

It is evident from the research in recent years that short sleep has been found as a risk factor for obesity. However, we still need enough evidence in this field. Therefore, we explored the directionality of the association between sleep duration and sleep quality with body mass index (BMI).

The aim of this study is to evaluate the association of sleep duration and sleep quality with BMI among young adults.

(a) To assess the association of sleep duration with BMI. (b) To assess the quality of sleep with BMI.

In this cross-sectional study, 88 individuals selected from King George's Medical University were taken as participants. Majority of patients were males (67%). There were 29 (33.0%) females. Sex ratio of study was 2.03, and we used Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) questionnaire to assess time spent in bed and sleep quality. BMI was divided into 3 categories. Underweight (BMI <18.5 kg/m²), normal weight (18.5-22.9 kg/m²), overweight (23-24.9 kg/m²), obese grade I (25-34.9 kg/m²), obese grade II (35.0 kg/m²), and above.

We observed that short sleep duration ± SD (h) <6 h/day f = 9.04; P < 0.001 is associated with greater chances of being overweight and obese and mean sleep quality (mean PSQI ± SD) f = 12.24; P < 0.001 was poor in obese grade I and II. Mean neck and waist circumference also showed a significant increasing trend with increasing BMI category (P < 0.001).

This study concludes that short sleep duration and poor sleep quality were associated with overweight obesity among young adults.