Short Sleep Is Associated with Obesity among Truck Drivers

Abstract

Recent studies suggest that short-sleep duration is independently associated with obesity in the general population. The population of truck drivers is of particular interest, because they frequently work irregular shifts that in turn are associated with short-sleep duration. In addition, truck drivers have a high prevalence of sedentary habits, poor diet, and obesity. The present study aimed at verifying the association between sleep patterns and factors associated with obesity in this population. The study sample consisted in 4,878 truck drivers who participated in a campaign promoted by a highway company in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. This campaign offered highway truck drivers a medical and laboratorial evaluation. The truck drivers completed a questionnaire concerning demographic data, sleep duration, consumption of medications, and medical problems, such as diabetes, cardiopathy, and hypertension; as well as the Berlin questionnaire, which is able to discriminate low and high risk for obstructive sleep apnea. Blood samples were collected to measure glucose and cholesterol levels. Also, body weight and height were registered to calculate the body mass index (BMI). The mean age (+/-SD) of the truck drivers studied was 40+/-10 years. Out of the truck drivers analyzed, 28.3% (n = 1,379) had a BMI > or =30.0 Kg/m2 (obesity). Among the 4,878 drivers included in the study, 1,199 (24.6%) were on medications and 334 (6.8%) were diabetic. Drivers (26.9%) with the greater BMI had a short sleep length. The independent factors associated with obesity were sleep duration <8 h/day (OR = 1.24), age >40 years (OR = 1.20), glucose levels >200 (OR = 2.02), cholesterol levels >240 (OR = 1.57), snoring (OR = 1.74), and hypertension (OR = 2.14). Smoking was not associated with obesity (OR = 0.69), and diabetes was considered a control variable. In conclusion, this study supports the hypothesis that short sleep duration as well as age >40 years are independently associated with obesity. This particular combination (short-sleep duration and obesity) is independently associated with several healthcare problems, including high levels of cholesterol, glucose, snoring, and hypertension. However, due to the cross-sectional nature of this study, no cause-effect relationship can be drawn from these results.

Síndrome da apneia obstrutiva do sono em motoristas de caminhão

“…(3,5,7,17,18) In such studies, the prevalence of OSAS has been determined by subjective instruments (17,18) or by polysomnography. (3,5,7) The prevalence of OSAS in the present study was lower than that reported in other studies and yet higher than that observed for the general population.…”

“…Among those 65 references, only the studies by Moreno et al were found to have used this instrument in truck drivers. (17,18) In those studies, 26.1% of the population was found to be at high risk of developing OSAS. (17) The relevance of studies of OSAS in truck drivers is related to the inability of such individuals to maintain a satisfactory level of concentration and the necessary psychomotor coordination to drive, (1) which increases the risk of accidents.…”

Hipertensão arterial e obesidade em motoristas profissionais de transporte de cargas

“…the waist circumference analysis, which was also higher in comparison with ratios observed in the South of Brazil (16)(17) . Although abdominal obesity and obesity itself increase cardiovascular risks, increased waist circumference is associated with obstructive sleep apnea, which results in oxyhemoglobin desaturation episodes, provoking frequent awakening at night and, hence, sleepiness during the day (18)(19) . Studies have demonstrated a positive relation between the presence of obstructive sleep apnea and greater risks of traffic accidents (20)(21) .…”

Aspectos do sono e das funções neurocomportamentais em condutores profissionais de veículos pesados: revisão da literatura

“…Em relação à dinâmica de trabalho imposta aos motoristas comerciais, estudos revelaram as péssimas condições laborais que estes indivíduos enfrentam 7,8 . Caminhoneiros tipicamente têm horários de trabalho irregulares e devem freqüentemente inverter o ciclo vigília-sono, dormindo de dia e permanecendo acordado à noite, levando a privação parcial de sono cronicamente 7 .…”

“…Caminhoneiros tipicamente têm horários de trabalho irregulares e devem freqüentemente inverter o ciclo vigília-sono, dormindo de dia e permanecendo acordado à noite, levando a privação parcial de sono cronicamente 7 . Esta situação predispõe a elevados níveis de estresse, ao uso de abusivo de drogas e medicamentos psicoestimulantes 8 , aos distúrbios alimentares 7 , ao sedentarismo 8 , ao desenvolvimento de doenças crônicas 7 .…”