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. 2014;62(8):534-41.
doi: 10.1080/07448481.2014.933344.

Sleep quality and body mass index in college students: the role of sleep disturbances

Perla A Vargas  1 , Melissa Flores, Elias Robles
Affiliations

Sleep quality and body mass index in college students: the role of sleep disturbances

Perla A Vargas et al. J Am Coll Health. 2014.

Abstract

Objective: Obesity and its comorbidities have emerged as a leading public health concern. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and sleep patterns, including duration and disturbances.

Methods: A convenience sample of 515 college students completed an online survey consisting of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and self-reported height and weight to calculate BMI. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed using components of the PSQI as predictors of overweight (BMI ≥ 25).

Results: One-third of the participants had BMI ≥ 25, and 51% were poor-quality sleepers (PSQI > 5). Controlling for age and sex, only sleep disturbances were associated with overweight (odds ratio = 1.66, 95% confidence interval [1.08, 2.57]).

Conclusions: Sleep disturbances, rather than sleep duration, predicted overweight among young adults; this is consistent with the most recent evidence in the literature. These findings support expanding the scope of wellness programs to promote healthy sleep among students.

Keywords: body mass index (BMI); college students; habits; overweight; prevalence; sleep; sleep disturbance; sleep duration; sleep quality.

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