Sleep, health behaviours and weight among ageing employees A follow-up study
Year: 2015
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Insomnia symptoms and short sleep duration constitute a notable public-health problem. They impair wellbeing and are risk factors for several diseases, both of which may affect societal functioning. The aim of this study was to examine whether insomnia symptoms are associated with subsequent unhealthy behaviours and weight gain, and whether unhealthy behaviours and weight are associated with subsequent insomnia symptoms. Additionally, the aim was to examine whether sleep duration is associated with weight gain. The data were derived from the Helsinki Health Study cohort baseline and follow-up mail surveys. The baseline data were collected in 2000-2002 among employees of the City of Helsinki aged 40-60 (n=8960, response rate 67%). The follow-up data were collected in 2007 (n=7332, response rate 83%). Insomnia symptoms were measured on frequency about having trouble falling asleep, waking up at night, having trouble staying asleep and waking up tired after one s usual amount of sleep, all during the previous four weeks. The respondents were also asked about their average sleep duration week days. Unhealthy behaviours included heavy and binge drinking, smoking, physical inactivity and unhealthy food habits. Weight was assessed using body mass index (BMI), kilograms and weight gain. Analyses of variance, logistic regression and multinomial regression were used in the statistical analyses. Poor sleep, more specifically insomnia symptoms and short sleep duration, were associated with weight gain, and BMI showed an association with changes in insomnia symptoms. These associations were evident mainly among women. Insomnia symptoms showed a bidirectional association with heavy drinking, and were also associated with subsequent physical inactivity. Additionally, binge drinking showed an association with subsequent insomnia symptoms. This study confirms associations among poor sleep and weight and mainly weak and inconsistent associations among insomnia symptoms and unhealthy behaviours.
Source: Työväentutkimus Vuosikirja
Author: Peppi Haario
Language: English
Topic: Sleep and related disorders
Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2099702496