CDC links obesity, smoking, heavy drinking with sleep

William Atkins
Thursday, 08 May 2008 19:52

Science - Health

A U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study finds that people who sleep the least each night are more prone to have health issues with obesity, smoking, and alcoholic drinking.


The study was performed by Charlotte A. Schoenborn, a health statistician with the CDC National Center for Health Statistics.

The name of the survey used by Schoenborn is the National Health Interview Survey.

Schoenborn found that 18% of U.S. adults (eighteen years or older in age) who slept seven to eight hours each night were cigarette smokers. However, of those U.S. adults who slept less than six hours each night, 30% were cigarette smokers.

She also found that 22% of U.S. adults who slept seven to eight hours a night were obese. However, 33% of U.S. adults were found to be obese if they slept less than six hours a night.

The name of the May 7, 2008 article, by Schoenborn and Patricia F. Adams (CDC Division of Health Interview Statistics), that describes the survey is “Sleep Duration as a Correlate of Smoking, Alcohol Use, Leisure-Time Physical Inactivity, and Obesity Among Adults: United States, 2004-2006.”

The beginning of the Schoenborn article states, “The importance of sleep in maintaining good health and quality of life is well recognized. Despite evidence of the health implications of insufficient sleep, a large number of Americans do not routinely get optimal hours of sleep It is estimated that 70 million Americans are affected by chronic sleep loss or sleep disorders.”

Based on her study results, Schoenborn states: “We found with the Health Interview Survey that people who got less than 6 hours of sleep were more likely to be obese… they were more likely to be physically inactive… they were much more likely to smoke… and somewhat more likely to use alcohol in large quantities… things that you associate with a clustering of unhealthy behaviors.” [CDC: Interview with Schoenborn]

Schoenborn also said, “The whole health promotion climate now tells us that we know what we need to be doing -- we need to be not smoking, we need to be exercising, we need to be controlling our weight and limiting our alcohol use and all of these things contribute to a healthy lifestyle -- and all are linked to a less sleep.” [United Press International: “CDC: Sleep lack linked to obesity, smoking”]