The results of 3 studies has concluded that depression and obesity are the 2 major culprits causing excessive daytime sleepiness, more so than not getting enough sleep.[1] Researchers looked at a randomly chosen sample of 1,741 people and established that emotional stress and obesity are the major causes of the prevailing fatigue and sleepiness epidemic that is plaguing the country. Obstructive sleep apnea and not enough sleep also play a part, both have been connected to heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, depression, obesity as well as accidents.
According to the researchers, depression, obesity and sleep disorders ought to be priorities with regards to the prevention of the medical issues and public safety hazards related to this excessive daytime sleepiness.
In the study, 222 individuals who reported excessive daytime sleepiness had a follow up analysis 7½ years later. In individuals whose excessive daytime sleepiness persisted, an increase in weight had been the leading predicting factor. The results revealed that excessive daytime sleepiness improved in those who lost weight. The rate of new onset daytime sleepiness was 8%, and persistent daytime sleepiness was 38%. Like obstructive sleep apnea and insufficient sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness is also linked to significant health risks as well as on the job accidents.
Individuals from that same study who developed excessive daytime sleepiness in the 7½-year period also were studied. The outcomes show obesity and depression to be the strongest factors for the risk of new onset daytime sleepiness. In another study of 103 individuals, it was determined yet again that obesity and depression were the top predictors of excessive daytime sleepiness.
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