Factors associated with sleep duration across life stages: results from the Canadian Health Measures Survey

Abstract

Sleep is essential for both physical and mental well-being. This study investigated sociodemographic, lifestyle/behavioural, environmental, psychosocial and health factors associated with sleep duration among Canadians at different life stages.

We analyzed nationally representative data from 12 174 Canadians aged 3–79 years in the Canadian Health Measures Survey (2009–2013). Respondents were grouped into five life stages by age in years: preschoolers (3–4), children (5–13), youth (14–17), adults (18–64) and older adults (65–79). Sleep duration was classified into three categories (recommended, short and long) according to established guidelines. Logistic regression models were used to identify life stage–specific correlates of short and long sleep.

The proportion of Canadians getting the recommended amount of sleep decreased with age, from 81% of preschoolers to 53% of older adults. Statistically significant factors associated with short sleep included being non-White and having low household income among preschoolers; being non-White and living in a lone-parent household among children; and second-hand smoke exposure among youth. Boys with a learning disability or an attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and sedentary male youth had significantly higher odds of short sleep. Among adults and older adults, both chronic stress and arthritis were associated with short sleep. Conversely, mood disorder and poor/fair self-perceived general health in adults and weak sense of community belonging in adults and older men were associated with long sleep.

Our population-based study identified a wide range of factors associated with short and long sleep at different life stages. This may have implications for interventions aimed at promoting healthy sleep duration.