In February 2019 researchers from the USA published the results of their study to assess whether the known association of short sleep duration with obesity varied by sex and ethnicity. A total of 1116 individuals (average age 48 years, 58% female) were included in the study. Information on sleep duration was self-reported and BMI and waist circumference assessed. Results showed that women sleeping less than 6 hours a night tended to have a higher BMI and greater waist circumference compared to those women sleeping 7-8 hours per night. In contrast, men had similar BMIs and waist circumferences regardless of sleep duration. The ethnicity of the individual also appeared to have no impact on the results.
Ogilvie RP et al. Sex and race differences in the association between sleep duration and adiposity: the Bogalusa Heart Study. Sleep Health. 2019 Feb;5(1):84-90.