The Relationship between the Number of Daily Health-Related Behavioral Risk Factors and Sleep Health of the Elderly in China.

Xiaojun Liu,Jianjian Liu,Shaotang Wu,Anran Tan,Zongfu Mao,Jingshu Chen,Chanida Lertpitakpong,Jiayi Zhou

doi:10.3390/ijerph16244905

Abstract

This study examined the cross-sectional association among a number of daily health-related behavioral risk factors and sleep among Chinese elderly. A sample of 4993 adults, aged 60 years and older, from the China’s Health-Related Quality of Life Survey for Older Adults 2018 was included in this study. Five daily health-related behaviors, which included smoking, drinking, unhealthy eating habits, insufficient leisure activities, and physical inactivity were measured. Sleep disturbances and sleep quality were used to represent the respondents’ sleep status. Multiple logistic regression models and multiple linear regression models were established. The odds ratios (ORs) of sleep disturbances for those with one to five health-related risk behaviors were 1.41 (95% CI = 1.11 to 1.78), 2.09 (95% CI = 1.66 to 2.63), 2.54 (95% CI = 1.99 to 3.25), 2.12 (95% CI = 1.60 to 2.80), and 2.49 (95% CI = 1.70 to 3.65), respectively. Individuals with one health-related risk behavior (B = 0.14, 95% CI = −0.23 to −0.06), two health-related risk behaviors (B = 0.21, 95% CI = −0.30 to −0.13), three health-related risk behaviors (B = 0.46, 95% CI = −0.55 to −0.37), four health-related risk behaviors (B = 0.50, 95% CI = −0.62 to −0.39), and five health-related risk behaviors (B = 0.83, 95% CI = −1.00 to −0.66) showed lower scores of self-perceived sleep quality. Having multiple health-risk behaviors was positively correlated with a higher risk of sleep disturbances among Chinese elderly. Moreover, elderly individuals with multiple health-related risk behaviors were significantly associated with poorer sleep quality.

Highlights

Sleep accounts for one-third of an individual’s whole life span, which is essential to an individual’s physical and mental health [1,2,3]
More than half received less than five years of education, 69.61% came from rural areas, and 63.87% were married or cohabiting
Our findings suggest that joint interventions and programs that aim to scientifically and effectively prevent and control the co-occurrence of multiple health-related risk behaviors among the older people may be urgently needed

Summary

Introduction

Sleep accounts for one-third of an individual’s whole life span, which is essential to an individual’s physical and mental health [1,2,3]. Good sleep quality eliminates tiredness and improves memory, and regulates body functions, and maintains health [4], sleep problems are extremely common, gradually eliciting a global health concern [1,2,5,6]. Sleep problems, such as sleep disorders can lead to memory decline, lack of concentration, low spirits, and even mental illnesses, including depression and anxiety [4,7,8,9,10,11].

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Methods

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Discussion

Conclusion