Sleep duration, sleep quality and obesity in the Canadian Armed Forces

Research has identified an association between sleep and obesity in the general population. It is also important to examine this association in a military population.

Data from the 2019 Canadian Armed Forces Health Survey (CAFHS) were used to estimate the prevalence of sleep duration, sleep quality characteristics, overweight and obesity for Regular Force members. The relationship of sleep duration and sleep quality with obesity was assessed with multivariable logistic regression that controlled for sociodemographic, work and health characteristics.

Females were significantly more likely than males to report meeting recommended sleep duration (7 hours to less than 10 hours; 48.7% vs. 40.4%), trouble falling or staying asleep (32.3% vs. 23.5%), or that sleep was not refreshing (64.0% vs. 57.7%). Difficulty staying awake did not differ significantly between males and females (6.3% vs. 5.4%). Obesity, but not being overweight, was significantly more prevalent among those who had short (less than 6 hours) or borderline (6 hours to less than 7 hours) sleep duration, or poor sleep quality. Compared with recommended sleep duration, short sleep duration (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.3; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2 to 1.6) and borderline sleep duration (AOR 1.2; 95% CI: 1.1 to 1.4) were associated with obesity for males, but not females, in fully controlled models. Sleep quality indicators were not independently associated with obesity.

This study adds to the body of evidence that identifies an association between sleep duration and obesity. The results emphasize the importance of sleep as one of the components of the Canadian Armed Forces Physical Performance Strategy.