A pilot randomized controlled trial examining the impact of a sleep intervention targeting home routines on young children's (3–6 years) physical activity

Abstract

Summary Background Given evidence suggesting that sleep impacts on metabolic processes, interventions targeting sleep may improve child physical activity (PA). Objectives To describe the potential effect of an intervention to increase sleep on young children's (3–6 years) moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) and total PA. To determine adherence to the intervention, impact on sleep duration as well as feasibility, uptake and acceptability was also assessed. Methods Pilot randomized controlled trial with 76 parent–child dyads randomly allocated to an intervention (n = 38) or control group (n = 38). Parents in the intervention group received a 3‐month theory‐informed intervention consisting of an online video, a telephone call and two text messages. Child PA was assessed using accelerometers at baseline and approximately 3 months. Parents also completed a sleep log and a telephone interview. Results The consent rate was 41% (76/186). Estimated effect size for the intervention relative to control was 10.8 min/day for MVPA, 2.7 min/day for PA and 0.9 h for sleep. Sixteen (44%) parents accessed the video, and 18 (50%) received the telephone call. Over 40% of parents found the video and telephone call useful/very useful. Conclusions This study reports promising effects that an intervention targeting sleep may improve child MVPA and sleep duration. Some modifications to data collection methods and intervention delivery are needed.

The cross‐sectional and prospective associations between sleep characteristics and adiposity in toddlers: Results from the GET UP! Study

“…Evidence in adults suggests that total sleep deprivation could lead to lower resting and postprandial energy expenditure, while chronic partial sleep deprivation could cause the feeling of fatigue, which in turn may reduce physical activity and increase sedentary behaviour . It has been reported in children that short sleep duration is associated with decreased physical activity and increased screen time …”

“…32 Evidence in adults suggests that total sleep deprivation could lead to lower resting and postprandial energy expenditure, 33 while chronic partial sleep deprivation could cause the feeling of fatigue, 34 which in turn may reduce physical activity and increase sedentary behaviour. 35 It has been reported in children that short sleep duration is associated with decreased physical activity 27,36 and increased screen time. 37 Although longitudinal studies in preschool-aged children have predominantly suggested that total sleep duration is negatively associated with weight gain overtime or later adiposity, 11,17,25 in our study, there was no prospective association between total sleep duration and adiposity after 12 months.…”

Effects of Family Intervention on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Children Aged 2.5-12 Years: A Meta-Analysis

“…All of included studies were published in 2012 or later, among which 7 were published in 2015 or later. Of them, 4 studies from Australia [38,40,45,46], 3 from the United States [31,42,44]. The United Kingdom [47], Germany [43], Finland [41], Norway and Sweden [39] each have one study.…”

“…A total of 1596 articles were searched from each database, 1585 articles were excluded according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Finally, 11 articles were included in this study [31,[38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47]. (Fig.…”

“…The United Kingdom [47], Germany [43], Finland [41], Norway and Sweden [39] each have one study. The included studies consisted of 10 RCTs [31,[38][39][40][41][43][44][45][46][47] and 1 CCT [42], with a total of 955 participants in the treatment group and 931 participants in the control group. Five of the included studies [31,38,39,42,44] only used theory interventions, including PA knowledge education, health behavior lectures, PA counseling services, interviews, and telephone return visits.…”