Trends and determinants of time spent in bed in Geneva, Switzerland

Cédric Gubelmann, Idris Guessous, Jean-Marc Theler, José Haba-Rubio, Jean-Michel Gaspoz, and Pedro Marques-Vidal.
Trends and Determinants of Time in Bed in Geneva, Switzerland., 15 October 2014, doi: 10.5664/jcsm.4116

Abstract

Aims: There is little information on sleep duration and its determinants in Switzerland. We aimed to assess trends and determinants of time in bed as an indicator of sleep duration in the canton of Geneva, Switzerland.

Methods: The data come from repeated, independent, cross-sectional and representative samples of adults (≥ 18 years) from the Geneva population, collected between 2005 and 2011. Self-reported time spent in bed, level of education, monthly income and nationality were assessed by questionnaire.

Results: Data from 3,853 participants (50% women, aged 51.7 ± 10.9 years) were analysed. No significant trends were observed between 2005 and 2011 concerning time spent in bed or the prevalence of short (≤ 6 h/day) and long (> 9 h/day) bedtimes. Older participants reported spending more time in bed (year-adjusted mean ± standard error: 7.67 ± 0.02, 7.82 ± 0.03 and 8.41 ± 0.04 h/day for 35-50, 50-65 and 65+ year olds, respectively, p < 0.001), while shorter bedtimes were reported by non-Swiss participants (7.77 ± 0.03 vs. 7.92 ± 0.03 h/day for Swiss nationals, p < 0.001), participants with a higher level of education (7.92 ± 0.02 for non-universities vs. 7.74 ± 0.03 h/day for academics, p < 0.001) or higher income (8.10 ± 0.04, 7.84 ± 0.03 and 7.70 ± 0.03 h/day for < 5,000 SFr; 5,000-9,500 SFr and > 9,500 SFr, respectively, p < 0.001). Adjusted polytomous logistic regression for multiple variables showed that short and long bedtimes were positively associated with obesity and negatively associated with income.

Conclusion: In a Swiss adult population, sleep duration as assessed by time spent in bed did not change significantly between 2005 and 2011. Clinical and socio-economic factors influence time spent in bed.

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