Unequal burden of sleep-related obesity among black and white Americans

Abstract Background This study ascertained whether individuals of the black race/ethnicity are unequally burdened by sleep-related overweight/obesity. Methods Analysis was based on data obtained from Americans (ages, 18-85 years) in the National Health Interview Survey (1977-2009). Sleep duration was coded as either very short sleep (VSS) (≤ 5 hours), short sleep (SS) (5-6 hours), or long sleep (> 8 hours), referenced to 7-8-hour sleepers. Overweight was defined as body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25.0 and ≤ 29.9 kg/m2 and obesity, BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 , referenced to normal weight (BMI = 18.5-24.9 kg/m2 ). Results Multivariate-adjusted regression analyses indicated that, among whites, VSS was associated with a 10% increased likelihood of being overweight and 51% increased likelihood of being obese, relative to 7-8-hour sleepers. Short sleep was associated with a 13% increased likelihood of being overweight and 45% increased likelihood of being obese. Long sleep was associated with 21% increased likelihood of being obese. Among blacks, VSS was associated with a 76% increased likelihood of being overweight and 81% increased likelihood of being obese. Short sleep was associated with a 16% increased likelihood of being overweight and 32% increased likelihood of being obese. As for the white stratum, long sleep was associated with a 25% increased likelihood of being obese. Conclusion Our investigation demonstrates strong linkages between inadequate sleep and overweight/obesity among black and white Americans. Although it cannot be said that insufficient sleep causes overweight/obesity, individuals of the black race/ethnicity sleeping ≤ 5 hours may be unequally burdened by sleep-related overweight/obesity.