Association between physical activity, trouble sleeping, and obesity among older Americans: a cross-sectional study based on NHANES data from 2007 to 2018.

Background: As the global population ages, obesity among older adults has become an increasing public health concern. Lifestyle factors, including physical activity (PA) and sleep, play a critical role in obesity prevention. These behaviors occur within a 24-hour cycle, yet research on the impact of different PA patterns, trouble sleeping, and their combination on obesity in older adults remains limited. This study aimed to explore: (1) the relationship between PA patterns, trouble sleeping, and obesity among older Americans; and (2) the combined effect of PA patterns and trouble sleeping on obesity in this population.

Methods: A total of 10,891 participants aged 60 and older (55.0% female) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2018 were included. Trouble sleeping was assessed using the Sleep Disorder Questionnaire, and PA was measured using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from objectively measured weight and height. Multivariate linear regression models were used to estimate the association between PA patterns, trouble sleeping, and BMI.

Results: Compared to the inactive group, participants in the insufficiently active group (β = -0.75; 95% CI = -1.27 to -0.23; P = 0.005), weekend warrior group (β = -1.08; 95% CI = -1.88 to -0.28; P = 0.009), and regularly active group (β = -1.58; 95% CI = -2.02 to -1.14; P < 0.001) had a significant negative association with BMI. Participants with trouble sleeping exhibited a positive association with BMI compared to those without trouble sleeping (β = 0.39; 95% CI = 0.02 to 0.75; P = 0.040). Conversely, among participants with trouble sleeping, those who were regularly active exhibited a negative association with BMI (β = -0.56; 95% CI = -1.05 to -0.07; P = 0.027). Additionally, compared to sufficiently active group, both the inactive and insufficiently active groups exhibited a positive association with BMI, regardless of the presence of trouble sleeping.

Conclusion: Insufficient PA and trouble sleeping in older adults are positively associated with obesity. Engaging in either a weekend warrior or regular PA lifestyle is negatively associated with obesity. Furthermore, adopting a regularly active lifestyle may mitigate the negative impact of trouble sleeping on obesity. However, regardless of the presence of trouble sleeping, insufficient PA remains positively associated with obesity in older adults.