Changes in Sleep as a result of Participation in a Community-Based Translation of the Diabetes Prevention Program

Many adults in the United States suffer from short sleep duration and poor sleep quality. Those most at risk for short sleep duration include those who are physically inactive, obese, or have chronic health conditions. Short sleep duration is associated with the development of cardiometabolic syndrome, as rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease have risen concurrently with rates of short sleep duration. The prevalence of physical inactivity has also increased in the United States. Sleep health and physical activity represent important modifiable risk factors for the prevention of conditions such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. The aim of this analysis is to examine changes in sleep duration and sleep quality among participants in a year-long community-based lifestyle intervention. This analysis included 251 participants from a community-based translation of the Diabetes Prevention Program, Group Lifestyle Balance (DPP-GLB), which enrolled participants at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Program goals included 7% weight loss and achieving 150 minutes/week moderate physical activity. Change in weight, BMI, physical activity measures, sleep duration, and sleep quality were examined between categories of sleep duration at baseline (those who reported sleeping the recommended 7 hours or more and those who reported sleeping less than 7 hours). These outcomes were also examined between categories of reported sleep quality (good or poor). Among those who reported sleeping less than 7 hours of sleep, significant change in sleep was seen at 12-months, with a median (IQR) increase of 0.5 (0.0, 1.0) hours. Between the two sleep duration categories, leisure activity at 6-months was significantly different, with those reporting higher baseline sleep having a greater increase in reported total MET-hours/week of leisure activity. No significant changes in sleep quality were observed between either sleep quality category. In summary, among those who reported short sleep duration at baseline, their sleep duration improved by the end of the intervention. These findings are relevant to public health practice in that physical activity and sleep health are modifiable risk factors for cardiometabolic disease, and better understanding of the relationship between these factors could inform lifestyle interventions to improve both outcomes