Sleep duration, asthma and obesity

AbstractBackground: Obesity is more prevalent in asthmatics. Sleep duration is a novel risk factor for obesity in general populations. Objective: We tested the association of sleep duration and asthma characteristics with obesity. Methods: Adults at tertiary clinics were surveyed on asthma symptoms and habitual sleep duration. Medical records were used to assess asthma severity step (1–4), extract height and weight, current medications and diagnosed comorbid conditions. BMI ≥30 kg/m2 defined obesity. Habitual sleep was categorized as 8 to ≤9 h (long) and >9 h (very long). Inhaled corticosteroid doses were categorized as low, moderate and high. Results: Among 611 participants (mean BMI 30 ± 8), 249 (41%) were obese. After adjustment for covariates, obesity was associated with short and very long sleep: as compared to normal sleepers, the odds of being obese were on an average 66% higher ([95% CI: 1.07–2.57], p = 0.02) among short and 124% higher ([1.08–1...