Midday Napping and Successful Aging in Older People Living in the Mediterranean Region: The Epidemiological Mediterranean Islands Study (MEDIS)

• Main Authors: Alexandra Foscolou, Nathan M. D’Cunha, Nenad Naumovski, Stefanos Tyrovolas, Loukianos Rallidis, Antonia-Leda Matalas, Evangelos Polychronopoulos, Labros S. Sidossis, Demosthenes Panagiotakos
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-12-01
• Series: Brain Sciences
• Subjects: midday napping; older adults; successful aging; mediterranean region; sleep; medis study
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/10/1/14

The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between midday napping, sleeping hours, and successful aging among 2564 older (65+ years) individuals living in the insular Mediterranean region. Anthropometric, clinical, and socio-demographic characteristics, dietary habits, and lifestyle parameters were derived through standard procedures, while successful aging was evaluated using the validated Successful Aging Index (SAI; range 0–10). Of the 2564 participants, 74% reported midday napping. The SAI score was 2.9/10 for non-midday nappers vs. 3.5/10 for midday nappers (<i>p =</i> 0.001). Midday nappers were more likely to be physically active (<i>p</i> = 0.01) and to have higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet (<i>p</i> = 0.02) compared to non-midday nappers. In a fully adjusted model, midday nappers had 6.7% higher SAI score compared to the rest (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), and the effect of midday napping was more prominent among males and participants 80+ years of age. Further analysis indicated a significant U-shaped trend between sleeping hours/day and SAI score <i>(p</i> &lt; 0.001), with 8–9 h total of sleep/day, midday napping included, proposed as optimal in achieving the best SAI score. Midday napping seems to be a beneficial habit that should be promoted and encouraged in older people.