Association Between Weekend Catch-Up Sleep and Obesity Among Working Adults: A Cross-Sectional Nationwide...

This study aimed to examine the association between weekend catch-up sleep (CUS) and obesity among Korean workers.

Data were derived from the 2016-2023 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), a nationally representative dataset. The final analytic sample comprised 17,208 Korean workers aged 26 to 64 years. General and abdominal obesity were defined as body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m² and waist circumference ≥ 90 cm for men and ≥85 cm for women, respectively. Sleep patterns were categorized into sufficient sleep, weekend CUS, and insufficient sleep. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate associations between sleep patterns and obesity, adjusting for demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related variables.

Compared to individuals with sufficient sleep, those with weekend CUS showed increased odds of general obesity (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.21) and abdominal obesity (AOR = 1.18). The insufficient sleep group had even higher odds for both general obesity (AOR = 1.23) and abdominal obesity (AOR = 1.33).

Insufficient sleep is significantly associated with increased risks of both general and abdominal obesity among Korean workers. While weekend CUS may offer partial mitigation of obesity risk, it should not be considered a substitute for regular, adequate sleep. Longitudinal studies are warranted to further explore causal relationships between sleep patterns and obesity in working populations.