Associations between Body Mass Index, Sleep Duration, and Reported Snoring and Sleepiness Symptoms, By Age Stratification

To further clarify the associations between sleep and body mass index (BMI) using the most recent dataset from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Our study is notable for the inclusion of analyses with age subpopulations and subjective sleep symptoms. Cross-sectional study was performed using the NHANES 2017-18 dataset. Weighted multivariate regressions were utilized. NHANES is a standardized survey conducted biennially in the United States, for a sample population which is weighted to represent national demographics. 6161 participants met inclusion criteria. Measurements were collected via NHANES protocol, with objective measurements collected by trained technicians and self-reported measurements collected via questionnaire. Our results corroborate a roughly U-shaped relationship of sleep duration with BMI, varying with age. Greatest magnitudes were observed in a bimodal age ranges of 18-30 and 61-75, with decreases in BMI of 0.248 and 0.385 associated with each marginal hour of sleep. Our secondary analysis with daytime sleepiness and snoring have a significant association with BMI. Snoring symptoms showed a decreasing magnitude of association with BMI as age increases; for ages 18-30, snoring at least once a week correlated with an increase in BMI of 3.571, while for ages 61-75, this correlated with an increase of 1.619. Our study adds to existing literature on the relationship of sleep and BMI. Age stratification methods were used to further clarify associations. Subjective sleep symptoms were used in a secondary analysis to identify clinical screening questions for adverse effects of sleep on BMI.