Prevalence of obesity and its association with sleep characteristics among healthcare workers

Abstract

Background: Healthcare workers are at risk of obesity and sleep disorders due to workload and night-shift schedules. However, studies examining the relationship between obesity and sleep patterns among healthcare workers in Mongolia are relatively limited. Aim: To investigate the prevalence of obesity and its association with sleep patterns among healthcare workers in Bayanzurkh district. Materials and Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among healthcare workers in Bayanzurkh district between October and December 2025. A total of 293 employees who met the inclusion criteria voluntarily participated in the study and responded to 51 questionnaire items assessing health behaviors and risks using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), which were developed collaboratively by the World Health Organization, the United Nations, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Participants’ height and weight were measured to determine body mass index (BMI), which was classified into six categories according to WHO criteria. Waist circumference was measured to assess central obesity. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 23.0, and associations were evaluated using correlation and ANOVA tests. Results: Among the participants, 83.3% were female and 37.9% were aged 25–34 years. Based on BMI classification, 40.6% had normal weight, 42.0% were overweight, and 15.4% were obese. Central obesity was observed in 63.3% of males and 67.6% of females. Among the participants, 56.7% reported sleeping 5–6 hours per night, and 67.2% consumed coffee or energy drinks to recover from sleep deprivation. According to the Insomnia Severity Index, 30.7% had normal sleep, 39.9% had mild insomnia, 23.5% had moderate insomnia, and 5.8% had severe insomnia. No statistically significant association was found between BMI and insomnia severity (p>0.05). However, longer sleep latency after going to bed and working night shifts were associated with increased insomnia severity (p<0.05). According to the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, 63.8% of participants had good sleep quality and 35.8% had poor sleep quality, and a very weak correlation was observed between sleep quality and BMI (r=0.135, p<0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of overweight and obesity among healthcare workers was found to be high. A very weak association was observed between BMI and sleep quality.