Studies have shown that the sleep quality of adults with obesity is affected by various factors. However, limited research has explored the roles of psychological states, number of roles, occupational balance, daily living skills, and physical activity in predicting sleep quality in this population. This study aimed to examine how these factors contribute to sleep quality among adults with obesity.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted at the Sungai Buloh Health Clinic in Selangor, Malaysia, involving adults with obesity. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling and met the following criteria: ability to read and complete a questionnaire, body mass index (BMI) greater than 30, independent functional mobility, and willingness to participate. The following instruments were used: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for sleep quality, Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) for psychological states, Role Checklist for number of roles for number of roles, Occupational Balance Questionnaire for occupational balance, Impact of Weight on Daily Activities Questionnaire (IWDAQ) for daily living skills performance, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) for physical activity.

A total of 331 adults with obesity participated in the study, the majority of whom were female (n = 201, 60.72%). The mean age was 32.9 ± 9.7 years, and the mean BMI was 50.82 ± 18.4. More than 98% (n=325) of participants had poor sleep quality, indicated by a global PSQI score greater than 5. Multiple regression analysis (Table 1) revealed that perceived anxiety, occupational balance, and daily living skills significantly predicted sleep quality (R² = 0.466, F = 96.95, p < 0.001).

The findings highlight the importance of addressing anxiety, occupational balance, and daily living skills to improve sleep quality in adults with obesity. An interdisciplinary approach is recommended to develop effective interventions targeting these factors.