Combination of obesity and poor sleep increases risk of multiple chronic diseases

People with poor sleep and obesity have a much higher risk of multimorbidity – having 2 or more chronic diseases at the same time – University of Queensland researchers have found.

Professor Abdullah Mamun, of UQ’s Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, said multimorbidity is commonly associated with an ageing population and is a major cause of increased mortality, healthcare costs and adverse drug reactions, reduced quality of life, and compromised function.

“Multimorbidity is a growing problem, especially in Australia, as the population ages,’’ Professor Mamun said.

“About 35 per cent of Australians aged 45 years or older already have 2 or more chronic diseases, and rates have been steadily increasing.’’

The study examined Australia's middle-aged and older population and found multimorbidity for people who reported poor sleep quality increased from 43 per cent in 2013 to 46 per cent in 2021.

For people with obesity, it went up from 46 per cent to 48 per cent.

But the combination of poor sleep and obesity was found to be particularly harmful, with the probability of acquiring multimorbidity at almost 80 per cent.

Study lead, Dr Syed Afroz Keramat said the findings confirm poor sleep quality and obesity are significant risk factors for multimorbidity.

“This research emphasises how 2 important, common and modifiable lifestyle factors are major contributors to the complex issue of multimorbidity in Australia's middle-aged and older population,’’ he said.

“The findings support the idea that improving sleep and maintaining a healthy weight are not just about tackling individual diseases but are crucial for preventing multiple chronic conditions.’’

Dr Keramat said the research could help shape a new approach to public health policy.

“The study suggests a community-led approach, where health initiatives are designed with consumer input, would be more successful in achieving real-world change,’’ he said

“It provides a clear path for policymakers and health professionals to educate people about the significance of good sleep habits and healthy weight decisions and encourage them to engage in physical activity and reduce screen time.

“Early detection strategies such as routine body mass index (BMI) and sleep quality monitoring could also be implemented in primary care settings.

“Ultimately, this research can help shift the focus from just identifying health risks to actively and effectively tackling them within communities, potentially resulting in better health outcomes for middle-aged and older Australians.’’

The research is published in Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health.

Collaboration and acknowledgements