Gibson R, Akter T, Jones C, Towers A. Characteristics of Atypical Sleep Durations Among Older Compared to Younger Adults: Evidence from the New Zealand Health Survey.
J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2023;
78:1908-1918. [PMID:
36729936 PMCID:
PMC10562883 DOI:
10.1093/gerona/glad042]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Understanding and supporting sleep is important across the life span. Disparities in sleep status are well documented in mid-life but under-explored among older populations.
METHODS
Data from 40,659 adults pooled from the New Zealand Health Surveys were used; 24.2% were "older adults" (aged ≥65 years), 57% were female, and 20.5% of Māori ethnicity. "Long," "short," or "typical" sleep categories were based on age-related National Sleep Foundation guidelines. Multinomial logistic regression examined predictors of atypical sleep, including sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and health status.
RESULTS
Prevalence of short and long sleep among older adults was 296 (3.0%) and 723 (7.4%), respectively. Correspondingly, prevalence among younger adults was 2 521 (8.2%) and 364 (1.2%). Atypical sleep was more significantly associated with indicators of reduced socioeconomic status and ethnicity among younger rather than older adults. Within both age groups, lower physical activity was associated with long sleep status. Higher physical activity and smoking were related to short sleep status among younger adults only. Within both age groups, atypical sleep was associated with SF-12 scores indicating poorer physical and mental health. Having ≥3 health conditions was related to short sleep among the older adults, while for young adults, it was related to both atypical durations.
CONCLUSIONS
Indicators of negative lifestyle and health factors remain consistent predictors of atypical sleep with aging. However, demographic disparities are less apparent among older atypical sleepers. This study highlights individual and contextual factors associated with atypical sleep patterns which may be important for age-appropriate recognition and management of sleep problems.
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