Purpose was to explore associations between sleep duration and metabolic syndrome (MS) risks, and to determine factors associated with self-rated health (SRH) of adults with MS compared to other adults.

This is a secondary data analysis based on the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey KNHANES V (N=12662). Study instruments included sleep duration, MS risk factors, SRH and health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Mean age of participants was 43.68±12.26 years. Fifty-eight percent were women, and 18.3% were identified as having MS. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and SRH were significantly different according to sleep duration (p<.05) among all participants. In the non MS group, male gender, younger age (19~30 and 41~50 age brackets) upper income level, sufficient sleep duration, and high density lipoprotein (HDL) were positively associated with SRH, whereas, lower education levels (≤ middle school), glucose level, and waist circumference were negatively associated with SRH (p<.05). In the MS group, lower income, lower education levels (≤ middle school), glucose level, and waist circumference were negatively associated with SRH, whereas, having an occupation was positively associated with SRH (p<.05).

Results suggest that tailored approaches are required for prevention and control of MS and sleep duration of each individual should be considered rather than applying standardized guidelines. However, as sleep quality was not included in the analysis, further investigations regarding influence of sleep quality on MS and SRH and controlling for other lifestyle and health behavior factors are required.