Association of Sleep Quality with Physical and Psychological Health Indicators among Overweight and Obese, Middle-aged and Older Rural Indians

Abstract

ObjectiveTo measure the association of sleep quality with physical (i.e., grip strength, functional mobility, balance) and psychological (depression, anxiety) health indicators in an overweight/obese population. MethodsBaseline data of 2,337 participants (1,382 overweight/obese and 955 normal weight) from an aging cohort in rural southern India (CBR-SANSCOG) was analyzed retrospectively. Assessment tools included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for sleep quality, dynamometry for hand grip strength (HGS), timed up-and-go (TUG) for functional mobility, and chair stand test (CST) for lower limb strength, Geriatric Depression scale (GDS-30) for depressive symptoms and Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7) for anxiety symptoms. Linear regression models, adjusted for known confounders, were used to examine the association of sleep quality with the health parameters in overweight/obese and normal-weight groups. ResultsIn the fully adjusted model, higher total PSQI score was associated with higher TUG time (β= 0.06 95% CI: 0.004,0.12), higher scores on GDS (β= 1.08 95% CI: 0.96,1.20) and GAD (β= 0.71 95% CI: 0.62,0.79), and lower scores on CST (β= -0.12 95% CI: -0.19,-0.06) in overweight/obese. The sleep disturbance, sub-component of PSQI, was strongly associated with TUG, CST, GDS and GAD. Sleep duration and use of sleep medication showed no significant association with the health parameters in overweight/obese. ConclusionIn summary, concurrent presence of poor sleep quality and overweight/obesity can worsen physical and psychological health in middle-aged and older adults. We have addressed the importance of prevention of sleep problems and necessitate urgent attention towards assessment and treatment of sleep issues in overweight/obese.