The association between daily naps and metabolic syndrome: Evidence from a population-based study in the Middle-East

Hamideh Ghazizadeh; Naser Mobarra; Habibollah Esmaily; Seyed Mohammad Reza Seyedi; Amin Amiri; Fariborz Rezaeitalab; Naghmeh Mokhber; Mohsen Moohebati; Mahmoud Ebrahimi; Mohammad Tayebi; Negin Behboodi; Maryam Mohammadi-Bajgiran; Samineh Hashemi; Gordon A Ferns; Saverio Stranges; Majid Ghayour-Mobarhan; Mahmoud Reza Azarpazhooh

doi:10.1016/j.sleh.2020.03.007

The association between daily naps and metabolic syndrome: Evidence from a population-based study in the Middle-East

Sleep Health. 2020 Oct;6(5):684-689. doi: 10.1016/j.sleh.2020.03.007. Epub 2020 May 30.

Authors

Hamideh Ghazizadeh¹, Naser Mobarra², Habibollah Esmaily³, Seyed Mohammad Reza Seyedi⁴, Amin Amiri⁵, Fariborz Rezaeitalab⁵, Naghmeh Mokhber⁶, Mohsen Moohebati⁷, Mahmoud Ebrahimi⁷, Mohammad Tayebi⁸, Negin Behboodi², Maryam Mohammadi-Bajgiran², Samineh Hashemi⁹, Gordon A Ferns¹⁰, Saverio Stranges¹¹, Majid Ghayour-Mobarhan¹², Mahmoud Reza Azarpazhooh¹³

Affiliations

¹ Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; International UNESCO Center for Health-Related Basic Sciences and Human Nutrition, Department of Nutrition, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Student research committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
² Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
³ Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
⁴ Department of Biology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Faculty of Science, Mashhad, Iran.
⁵ Department of Neurology, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
⁶ Department of Psychiatry, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.
⁷ Cardiovascular Division, Vascular Surgery Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
⁸ Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.
⁹ Stroke Prevention & Atherosclerosis Research Centre, Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
¹⁰ Brighton & Sussex Medical School, Division of Medical Education, Falmer, Brighton, Sussex, United Kingdom.
¹¹ Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Family Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Population Health, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Strassen, Luxembourg.
¹² Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; International UNESCO Center for Health-Related Basic Sciences and Human Nutrition, Department of Nutrition, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Electronic address: ghayourm@mums.ac.ir.
¹³ Department of Neurology, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Stroke Prevention & Atherosclerosis Research Centre, Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: reza.azarpazhooh@lhsc.on.ca.

PMID: 32482574
DOI: 10.1016/j.sleh.2020.03.007

Abstract

Background: Daily naps are a common habit in many Middle Eastern and Asian countries; however, little is known about the association between daily naps and other health consequences, including the presence of metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Methods: Participants were recruited from the Mashhad stroke and heart atherosclerotic disorders study. We defined MetS according to International Diabetes Federation criteria. Nighttime sleeping hours were categorized into three categories: <6, 6-8, and >8 hours. Using logistic regression models, we analyzed the association between the duration of night-time sleep and daily naps with MetS and its different components.

Results: A total of 9652 individuals were included in the study: 3859 with MetS (40%) and 5793 without MetS (60%), as the control group. Of all, 72% participants had a regular daily nap. Those with daily naps had a higher odd of MetS [Odds ratio:1.19, confidence interval: (1.08-1.33); P < .001]. We also observed significantly higher odds of obesity, central obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, and diabetes or impaired fasting glucose in these subjects. Men sleeping <6 hours per night had a lower odd of MetS. However, we observed higher odds of cardiovascular risk factors in participants sleeping <6 hours, including obesity and diabetes or IFG.

Conclusion: Napping is a common habit in middle Eastern countries. Although the cross-sectional design of our study cannot prove causality, we observed a significant association between the presence of MetS and daily naps. The public should be aware of this possibility and be educated about the importance of sleeping patterns.

Keywords: Daily naps; Metabolic syndrome; Nighttime duration; Sleep duration.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Male
Metabolic Syndrome / epidemiology*
Middle Aged
Middle East / epidemiology
Sleep*
Time Factors