Excessive daytime sleepiness and body composition: a population-based study of adults.
BACKGROUND
Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is often associated with increased adiposity, particularly when assessed in the context of samples of sleep-disordered patients; however, it is unclear if this relationship is sustained among non-clinical, population-based cohorts. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between EDS and a number of body composition markers among a population-based sample of men and women.


METHODS
This study assessed 1066 women aged 21-94 yr (median = 51 yr, IQR 35-66), and 911 men aged 24-92 yr (median = 60 yr, IQR 46-73) who participated in the Geelong Osteoporosis Study (GOS) between the years 2001 and 2008. Total body fat mass was determined from whole body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans, and anthropometric parameters (weight, height, and waist circumference) were measured. Lifestyle and health information was collected via self-report. Sleepiness was assessed using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Scores of ≥ 10 were considered indicative of EDS.


RESULTS
Women: After adjusting for age, alcohol intake, antidepressant medication use and physical activity, EDS was associated with greater waist circumference and body mass index (BMI). EDS was also associated with 1.5-1.6-fold increased odds of being overweight or obese. Men: After adjusting for age, alcohol use, physical activity and smoking status, EDS was associated with greater BMI. These findings were not explained by the use of sedative or antidepressant medication. EDS was also associated with 1.5-fold increased likelihood of being obese, independent of these factors. No differences in lean mass, %body fat, or %lean mass were detected between those with and without EDS for men or women.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that EDS is associated with several anthropometric adiposity profiles, independent of associated lifestyle and health factors. Among women, symptoms of EDS are pervasive at both overweight and obese BMI classifications; suggesting a need for further clinical examination to assess possible temporal associations with underlying sleep pathology.
IMPACT SRC, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia; Institute for Breathing and Sleep, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia.
Amie C
AC
Hayley
IMPACT SRC, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia; Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.
Lana J
LJ
Williams
Institute for Breathing and Sleep, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia; School of Psychology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Cairnmillar Institute, Camberwell, Australia.
Gerard A
GA
Kennedy
IMPACT SRC, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia; Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Orygen Research Centre, Parkville, Australia; Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Australia.
Michael
M
Berk
NorthWest Academic Centre, Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, St Albans, Australia; Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science, North West Academic Centre, Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, St Albans, Australia.
Sharon L
SL
Brennan
IMPACT SRC, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia; NorthWest Academic Centre, Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, St Albans, Australia.
Julie A
JA
Pasco
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001823:Body Composition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult