Description
Obesity is an epidemic in the United States affecting greater than one-third of adults. Obese adults experience an increased risk of dying from several chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. Furthermore, obesity disproportionally affects minority groups. In particular, rates of obesity are higher among Hispanics/Latinos living in the United States as compared to non-Hispanic/Latino whites. It is imperative that research be conducted to examine factors contributing to the disproportionally high rates of obesity experienced by this group. Emerging research has identified sleep duration as a risk factor for obesity. Few studies have examined the role of sleep duration on weight status in the US Hispanic/Latino population. The purpose of the present study was to assess differences in demographic and health-related factors between short (<7 hours per night) and normal (< 7 hours per night) duration sleepers in 434 Hispanic/Latina women in San Diego County. Additionally, the study examined the association between sleep duration and central obesity while controlling for demographic and health-related factors in this population. The present study utilized baseline measures from the study Faith in Action, a randomized controlled community trial promoting cancer screening and physical activity among church-going Latina women in San Diego County. SPSS version 22.0 was employed to conduct bivariate and regression analyses. Approximately one-third of participants were classified as short duration sleepers. Short duration sleepers were found to be significantly older, less likely to be married, less active, and more likely to experience probable depression (p< 0.05). Upon addition of all study covariates a significant inverse relationship was found between short sleep duration and having an at-risk waist circumference (OR 1.54, 95% CL: 1.01-2.42, p<0.05). Results of the present study are consistent with previous findings that sleep duration may be a risk factor for the development of obesity. Findings of the present study suggest that sleep health should be a component of obesity prevention efforts in the US Hispanic/Latino population.
