Sedentary behaviour and sleep problems among young, middle-aged, and older persons in South Africa: a brief report

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the relationship between sedentary behaviour and sleep problems in a large national community sample in South Africa. We analysed an existing cross-sectional population data set, the “South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey”. The sample included 13 555 individuals (median age 34.0 years, interquartile range 25, range 15–98 years). Overall, the study population engaged < 4 hours (49.5%), 4 – < 8 hours (37.2%), 8 – < 11 hours (9.7%), and 11 or more hours (3.6%) in sedentary time a day. The prevalence of sleeping problems was 6.4% and 6.7% in the less than 4 and less than 8 hours sedentary time categories, respectively. The prevalence of sleeping problems was 9.8% and 9.4% in the less than 11 hours and 11 or more hours sedentary time categories, respectively. In the final adjusted logistic regression model, among 50 years and older, the highest sedentary time category was associated with sleep problems, while there was no association in the younger (15–49 years) age group and in the overall model. This could mean that persons at older age with sedentary behaviour are at an increased risk of sleep problems