Poor sleep quality and inadequate sleep duration related to obesity in two Roma subgroups in Transylvania

Abstract

Introduction: Short sleep duration and poor sleep quality may be associated with weight gain; this association has not yet been studied in Roma (Gipsy) population. Aim: Our aim was to study sleep patterns in two adult Roma subgroups (the wealthy Gabor and the poor Lovari Roma), compared to the majority of Hungarian population, in relation to obesity, knowing that Roma population has specific socio-cultural characteristics, with a rapidly changing lifestyle. Method: A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in a rural region in Transylvania, where the above groups are cohabiting. The groups were age- and gender-matched. Results: Sleep duration was 7.18 ± 1.6 hours in the Gabor Roma, 7.67 ± 1.5 hours in the Lovari Roma and 7.37 ± 1.5 hours in the non-Roma group. In average, 70% of them had enough sleep (≥7 hours). 38.6% of Gabor Roma, 27.1% of Lovari Roma and 23.5% of non-Roma had poor-quality sleep (p = 0.05). Gabor Roma had significantly higher body mass index (31.1 ± 4.6 versus 27.4 ± 5.2 and 28.66 ± 5.7 kg/m2, p = 0.004), and this correlated inversely with sleep duration (F = 14.85, p<0.000). Conclusion: Gabor Roma had significantly higher percentage of poor-quality sleep. Sleep duration and sleep quality were linked with obesity, mainly in the Roma population. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(32): 1279-1283.