Obesity: A mediator between cardiorespiratory fitness and self-reported sleep pattern among future physicians

ABSTRACT

Background: Obesity in relation to physical fitness is of major concern nowadays, as the prevalence of obesity is increasing rapidly worldwide and India is no exception to it. Lack of fitness results in stress as well as increased burnout, which ultimately contributes to mortality from cardiovascular disease. Physicians who are having poor exercise habits are also less likely to counsel patients about exercise. Aim and Objectives: Hence, in this study, we aim to evaluate the body mass index (BMI) as well as cardiorespiratory fitness and self-reported sleep pattern among the resident doctors of MMIMSR, Mullana, Ambala, Haryana. Materials and Methods: Data were collected for the cross-sectional study. Sleep pattern was determined using a validated Pittsburgh sleep quality index questionnaire. Body weight and height were measured and BMI was calculated using Quetelet index. Queen’s College Step Test method was used to estimate cardiorespiratory fitness by calculating VO2max. VO2max is internationally accepted parameter and is the first choice in measuring a person’s cardiopulmonary status. Results: The result of our study showed highly positive significant (P < 0.01) association and correlation between obesity and sleep patterns and highly significant (P < 0.01) correlation between obesity and cardiorespiratory fitness among the resident doctors. Residents with relatively disturbed sleep pattern and with shorter sleep durations were either overweight or obese. Preliminary findings are consistent with the hypothesis that disturbance in sleep pattern may be one of the factors which influences BMI and also influences long-term cardiorespiratory health. Residents attributed time constraints due to training as a key barrier to physical activity. Conclusion: Proper awareness at early stage is extremely important to impress the consequences disturbed sleep pattern and in prevention of the development of obesity and improvement in the cardiorespiratory fitness.