Association between body roundness index (BRI) and sleep quality: a cross sectional study from 2022 to 2024

Sleep is essential for mental and physical health, significantly impacting overall quality of life. The Body Roundness Index (BRI) has emerged as a novel measure that captures body fat distribution more accurately than traditional indices such as BMI. Thus, aim of this study is to find the relationship between BRI and sleep quality.

This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Nutrition and Obesity Awareness Center, Xzmat Medical City, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, from 2022 to 2024. A total of 4,813 participants aged 18-65 were recruited. BRI was calculated using standard equations incorporating height, weight, and waist circumference. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and wearable actigraphy devices. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26.0, with logistic regression models used to determine the association between BRI and sleep quality, adjusting for potential confounders.

Participants were categorized into BRI tertiles: T1 (< 3.19), T2 (3.20-6.01), and T3 (> 6.02). Higher BRI was associated with poorer sleep quality, shorter sleep duration, increased sleep disturbances, longer sleep latency, and greater day dysfunction due to sleepiness. Adequate sleep quality significantly decreased from 75.6% in T1 to 23.4% in T3 (p < 0.001). Logistic regression revealed that higher BRI tertiles were significantly associated with increased odds of inadequate sleep quality (OR for T3: 11.75, 95% CI: 10.13-13.60, p < 0.001) even after adjusting for confounders.

The study demonstrates a significant association between higher BRI and poorer sleep quality among Kurdish adults. These findings underscore the importance of considering body fat distribution in addressing sleep health. Public health interventions targeting weight management may also improve sleep quality and overall health in this population.