Sedentary behaviour and sleep problems among 42,489 community‐dwelling adults in six low‐ and middle‐income countries

Abstract

There is a lack of multinational research investigating the association between sleep problems and sedentary behaviour. In this study, we investigated the relationship between the time spent sedentary during waking hours and sleep problems in six low- and middle-income countries. Cross-sectional, community-based data from the Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health survey were analysed. Adjusted logistic regression analyses were undertaken to explore the relationship between self-reported sleep problems (such as difficulties falling asleep, waking up frequently during the night or waking up too early in the morning) in the last 30 days and self-reported sedentary time (categorized as <4, 4 to <8, 8 to <11 or ≥11 hr/day). Among 42,489 individuals aged ≥18 years (mean age=43.8 ± 14.4 years; 50.1% women), those who were sedentary for 8 to <11 hr/day (n = 2,782) and ≥11 hr/day (n = 674) had a 1.61 (95% confidence interval =1.03-2.50) and 1.75 (95% confidence interval =1.17-2.62) times higher odds of having sleep problems, respectively, compared with those being sedentary for less than 4 hr per day (n = 24,637). The strongest associations were observed among those aged 50-64 years. The observed associations were independent of a wide range of sociodemographic factors, physical and mental health conditions and physical activity behaviour. Considering the social and occupational costs of sleep problems, it is important that future longitudinal research should consider the directionality of the data.

Is Less Sedentary Behavior, More Physical Activity, or Higher Fitness Associated with Sleep Quality? A Cross-Sectional Study in Singapore

“…In line with our findings, a recent meta-analysis indicated no independent associations between SB and SQ but did demonstrate associations with other sleep outcomes [10]. More recent results from two large observational studies in generally healthy adults indicated that when the self-reported SB was high, the odds of reporting poor SQ/sleep problems nearly doubled [11,12]. Loprinzi et al examined data (N = 5563) from a large US sample of adults using objectively measured SB [7].…”

“…A meta-analysis found SB to be associated with an increased risk of insomnia and sleep disturbance but not daytime sleepiness and poor SQ in adults [10]. More recent results from observational studies suggest an independent relationship with SB and SQ [7,11,12].…”

Higher amounts of sedentary time are associated with short sleep duration and poor sleep quality in postmenopausal women

“…A recent meta-analysis found that sedentary time is associated with an increased risk of insomnia (pooled OR 1.18, 95% CI: 1.01-1.36) and sleep disturbance (1.38, 95%CI: 1.28-1.49) [21]. Additionally, Vancampfort et al found that sedentary time was associated with sleep disturbances among 42,489 adults [24]. This relationship was the strongest in adults 50-64 years old, highlighting the potential importance of sedentary time in an aging population like postmenopausal women.…”

“…Additionally, there is a paucity of literature on whether exercise intensity is associated with indices of sleep. Higher levels of sedentary time, which are common among postmenopausal women [19,20], are also associated with poor sleep efficiency, insomnia, and sleep disturbances [21][22][23][24][25]. Thus, there is a strong need to understand the associations between physical activity, sedentary time, and sleep, which may help inform lifestyle strategies for reducing the risk of chronic disease following menopause.…”

Relationship Between Sedentary Behaviors and Sleep Duration in University Students from Five ASEAN Countries

“…This may include time spent sitting at a desk, visiting friends, reading, or sitting or lying down to watch television." Sedentary time was categorized into < 4 hours, 4 ≤ 8 hours, 8 ≤ 11 hours, and 11 or more hours a day (15).…”