Objectives: To assess the association between sleep disorders prevalence and rising obesity in Isreali adolescents.
Methods: a nationwide, population-based, cohort study of 1,334,806 Israeli adolescents (57% males) who were medically examined to approve military service, from 1997 through 2015; Height and weight were measured along with assessment of medical status at age 17.3±0.4 years. The diagnosis of a sleep disorder was made based on objective diagnostic criteria. The prevalence and odds ratio (OR) for a sleep disorder was calculated for each weight group. Multivariable analysis adjusted for age, birth year, residential socioeconomic status, education and country of origin. Calculations were made to rule out or correct possible confounders.
Results: Overall sleep disorders prevalence was 1.8:1000 (boys) and 0.45:1000 (girls), a total of 1600 cases. Multivariable analysis as well as unadjusted logistic regression showed gradual increase of OR for sleep disorders of 1.25, 1.46, 2.58 and 3.48 for overweight, obese grade 1, 2, and 3 respectively for boys and 1.46, 1.2 and 4.14 for overweight and obese grade 1 and 2 girls. Findings were accentuated in a number of sub analyses made (unimpaired health, time of recruitment). Sleep disorders are more common in last decade recruits.
Conclusions: We found a positive correlation between sleep disorders prevalence and obesity. The association is stronger in male adolescents than in females. The rise in the prevalence of morbid obesity and the rising awareness of both patients and physicians of sleep disorders may explain the increase in the diagnosis of sleep disorders in recent years.
