NCJ Number
219667
Journal
Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management Volume: 30 Issue: 2 Dated: 2007 Pages: 203-214
Date Published
2007
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This study examined the relationship between obesity and sleep problems among police officers.
Abstract
The two most prevalent sleep problems reported were “tiredness upon awakening” and “snoring,” which are both considered sleep-disordered breathing problems. Except for the waist-to-hip ratio, all anthropometric measurements for BMI were significantly associated with snoring, even after controlling for other relevant variables, such as age, smoking, and physical activity. Moreover, BMI, his circumference, abdominal height, neck circumference, and neck-to-height ratios were all significantly related to sleep apnea. The findings suggest that physiology may play an important role in the obesity-sleep association. Future research should examine whether depression plays an integral role in the association between obesity and sleep. Participants were 110 randomly selected police officers from the Buffalo, New York Police Department who ranged in age from 26 to 61 years. Participants completed a questionnaire regarding their sleep patterns, demographic characteristics, lifestyle behaviors, level of education, martial status, number of years employed as a police officer, alcohol consumption patterns, and medical history. Participants also had anthropometric measurements for body mass index (BMI) taken. Data were analyzed using univariate models and Pearson’s correlation. Tables, references