Association between self-reported sleep quality and body mass index among Jimma University academic staff: structural equation modeling.

BACKGROUND

In 2022, over 890 million adults globally were affected by obesity. That year, around 16% of adults aged 18 and above were classified as obese. The global obesity rate more than doubled from 1990 to 2022. By 2035, the World Obesity Atlas predicts that over 1 billion people worldwide will be considered obese, which translates into 1 in 5 women and 1 in 7 men will be affected globally. Sleep quality has declined simultaneously with the increased prevalence of overweight and obesity, suggesting a potential link. However, inadequate published articles shows that poor sleep quality is a risk factor for obesity in young and older adults in Ethiopia.

METHODS

An institution-based cross-sectional study of Jimma University academic staff was conducted. A total of 427 academic staff members participated in the study. A two-stage cluster sampling procedure was used to select study participants from their departments. Height and weight measurements were taken by trained data collectors. A reliable self-administered questionnaire was used to assess sleep quality. Analysis was performed using Stata version 13.1. Structural equation modeling using the maximum likelihood estimation method was used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

A total of 32.3% (95% CI: 28.0, 36.9) of the participants had poor sleep quality. The mean (± SD) BMI of the respondents was 22.7 (± 3.1) kg/m. The study indicated that 23.1% of the academicians at Jimma University had a BMI greater than 25 kg/m. The overall prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress was 25.5%, 44.7%, and 16.62%, respectively. Poor sleep quality appeared to have a significant inverse and indirect association with BMI (β = -0.08/P = 0.042), which was mediated through depression and obesogenic dietary behavior.

CONCLUSION

The present study revealed that poor sleep quality is inversely associated with BMI among Jimma University academic staff. It is highlighted in the study that there is a significant interplay between depression, obesogenic eating behavior, and poor sleep quality in influencing healthy weight. By focusing on lifestyle modifications, behavioral therapies, and restyling the working environment, individuals may experience improvements in both their sleep patterns and weight management outcomes. Future research should continue to explore the complex relationships between sleep quality, lifestyle factors, and BMI to refine these interventions further.