Sleep Patterns, Obesity, Cortisol and C-reactive protein among Law Enforcement Officers

Aims: Sleep deprivation may play a role in the increased prevalence of obesity. Cortisol and C-reactive protein are two biochemicals elevated in obese individuals and individuals who experience sleep loss. Chronic fatigue and obesity are problems among law enforcement officers but the relationship among the two has not been explored. The aim of this study is to describe the sleep patterns among law enforcement officers and examine the relationship between sleep duration, sleep quality, cortisol and C-reactive protein levels, and body fat percent.

Methods: Public safety employee (n = 85) ages 20-63 participated. Sleep duration and quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Multiple linear regression models were created and analyzed using the study variables.

Results: Overall,22.4% of officers rated their overall sleep quality as poor. Overall, 74.7% of officers were overweight or obese as defined by body fat % ≥ 25.0. There was no significant difference in obesity between day and non-day shift workers. Significant correlation between total percent fat and C-reactive protein was found (p<.0001). Sleep time (hours) was inversely correlated with the cortisol workday diurnal variance and was statistically significant (p<0.001). Greater sleep time correlated with a greater difference in the a.m. cortisol value and the diurnal variance.

Conclusions: Data support poor sleep is of concern for a high proportion of LEOs, especially those working non-day shifts. Although a high proportion of police officers were obese as defined by percent body fat, this was not directly related to sleep loss or the cortisol patterns.