Association of Birthplace for Sleep Duration, Sleep Quality, and Sleep Disorder Symptoms, at the US-Mexico Border.

OBJECTIVES: The present study investigated the roles birthplace and acculturation play in sleep estimates among Hispanic/Latino population at the US-Mexico border. MEASURES: Data were collected in 2016, from N = 100 adults of Mexican descent from the city of Nogales, AZ, at the US-Mexico border. Sleep was assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Insomnia Severity Index categorized as none, mild, moderate, and severe, and Multivariable Apnea Prediction Index (MAP) categorized as never, infrequently, and frequently. Acculturation was measured with the Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican-Americans II (ARSMA-II). RESULTS: The sample consisted of majority Mexican-born (66%, vs. born in the USA 38.2%). Being born in the USA was associated with 55 fewer minutes of nighttime sleep (p = .011), and 1.65 greater PSQI score (p = .031). Compared to no symptoms, being born in the USA was associated with greater likelihood of severe difficulty falling asleep (OR = 8.3, p = .030) and severe difficulty staying asleep (OR = 11.2, p = .050), as well as decreased likelihood of breathing pauses during sleep (OR = 0.18, P = .020). These relationships remained significant after Mexican acculturation was entered in these models. However, greater Anglo acculturation appears to mediate one fewer hour of sleep per night, poorer sleep quality, and reporting of severe difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. CONCLUSIONS: Among individuals of Mexican descent, being born in the USA (vs Mexico) is associated with about 1 hour less sleep per night, worse sleep quality, more insomnia symptoms, and less mild sleep apnea symptoms. These relationships are influenced by acculturation, primarily the degree of Anglo rather than the degree of Mexican acculturation.

Patterns of Eating Associated with Sleep Characteristics: A Pilot Study among Individuals of Mexican Descent at the US-Mexico Border.

Introduction: Previous studies have linked sleep to risk of diabetes and obesity, at least partially via alterations in food intake. Diabetes and obesity are common among Hispanics/Latinos, and studies are needed to better clarify the role of sleep in health among this group. Utilizing the revised TFEQ-R-18, this study will examine whether eating behaviors such as cognitive restraint, emotional eating and uncontrolled eating are related to self-reported sleep experiences. Specifically, we hypothesized that poor eating habits would be associated with (1) more insomnia symptoms, (2) overall worse sleep quality, (3) increased daytime sleepiness, and (4) shorter sleep duration.Methods: Data were collected from N = 100 adults (age 18-60, 47% female) of Mexican descent in the city of Nogales, AZ (34% not born in the US). Surveys were presented in English or Spanish. Eating Patterns were assessed with the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ), which resulted in a total score and subscales for "cognitive restraint," "uncontrolled eating," and "emotional eating." Insomnia was assessed with the use of the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Sleepiness with the use of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Sleep quality with the use of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and weekday and weekend sleep duration with the use of the Sleep Timing Questionnaire (STQ). Covariates included age, sex, Body Mass Index (BMI), education and immigrant status.Results: Overall TFEQ score (problematic eating) was positively associated with greater insomnia, poorer sleep quality, more sleepiness, and less weekend (but not weekday) sleep. Mean TFEQ score in the sample was 18.7 (range 0-51). In adjusted analyses, every point on the TFEQ was associated with 0.6 ISI points, 0.8 PSQI points, 0.5 ESS points, and 1.1 minutes of less weekend sleep duration. Regarding subscale scores, relationships were generally seenbetween sleep and emotional eating and unrestricted eating, and not cognitive restraint.Conclusions: Greater insomnia, poorer sleep quality, increased daytime sleepiness and decreased weekend sleep duration were associated with eating patterns at the US-Mexico border, particularly in the area of unrestricted eating and emotional eating. This suggests possible mechanisms linking sleep and obesity in Hispanic/Latinos.

Culturally-consistent diet among individuals of Mexican descent at the US-Mexico border is associated with sleep duration and snoring.

BACKGROUND: Existing studies show that consuming food consistent with one's culture reduces cardiometabolic risk. However, few studies have assessed whether these dietary choices influence sleep health. Accordingly, this study assessed how Mexican food consumption by individuals of Mexican descent residing at the US-Mexico border, was associated with various measures of sleep, after accounting for acculturation. METHODS: Data were provided by 100 adults between the ages of 18-60, in the city of Nogales, AZ. Questionnaires were provided in either Spanish or English. Acculturation was assessed with the Acculturation Scale for Mexican-Americans (ARSMA-II), with an additional question, asking how often "my family cooks Mexican foods." Frequency of cooking Mexican food was coded as either "yes" or "no." Sleep was assessed, using validated measures that include the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and sleep duration with the item "how many hours of actual sleep did you get at night?" Regression models estimated the associations between sleep health variables as outcomes and consumption of Mexican food as the independent variable. Covariates included age, sex, and acculturation scores. Parental education level was also included, as an indicator of childhood socioeconomic status and since food culture likely involves parents. RESULT: We found that among individuals who identified as Mexican-Americans who consumed culturally-consistent foods, was associated with, on average, 1.41 more hours of sleep (95% CI 0.19, 2.62; p = 0.024) and were less likely to report snoring (OR: 0.25; 95% CI 0.07, 0.93; p = 0.039). Consuming Mexican food was not associated with sleep quality, insomnia severity or sleepiness. CONCLUSION: Individuals of Mexican descent residing at the US-Mexico border who regularly consumed Mexican food, reported more sleep and less snoring. Mexican acculturation has been shown previously to improve sleep health. This is likely due to consumption of a culturally- consistent diet. Future studies should examine the role of acculturation in sleep health, dietary choices, and subsequent cardiometabolic risk.