Association between objectively measured body composition, sleep parameters and physical activity in preschool children: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

ObjectiveAssociations between self-reported sleep duration and obesity indices in children are well recognised; however, there are no studies on associations between objectively measured other sleep parameters and physical activity with body composition in preschoolers. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the associations between sleep parameters and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) with body composition indices in preschoolers using objective measures.DesignA cross-sectional study.ParticipantsThe study group consisted of 676 children aged 5–6 years, who were enrolled in kindergartens in the 2017/2018 school year.Outcome measuresSleep parameters and MVPA were measured using accelerometers for 7 days. Bioelectrical impedance analysis was used to estimate body composition.ResultsSleep duration and sleep efficiency were inversely associated with body fat percentage (BFP) (β=−0.013 and β from –0.311 to −0.359, respectively) and body mass index (BMI) (β from −0.005 to −0.006 and from −0.105 to –0.121, respectively), and directly associated with fat-free mass (FFM) (β from 0.010 to 0.011 and from 0.245 to 0.271, respectively) and muscle mass (β from 0.012 to 0.012 and from 0.277 to 0.307, respectively) in unadjusted and adjusted models. BFP was inversely associated with MVPA and positively associated with number of awakenings and sleep periods. Number of sleep periods was inversely associated with FFM, and positively with BMI and muscle mass. Correlation matrix indicated significant correlation between BFP, FFM and muscle mass with sleep duration, sleep efficiency, number of sleep periods and MVPA.ConclusionsPeriodic assessment of sleep parameters and MVPA in relation to body composition in preschool children may be considered, especially in those who are at risk for obesity.

Obesity risk factors in Turkish preschool children: a cross-sectional study

“…A positive correlation between shorter sleep duration and early childhood obesity was reported 48,49 53,54 . In a study conducted in China, Zong et al 45 found that daily watching TV ≥2 hours increases the risk of obesity by 2.154 times.…”

Paths towards a healthier BMI among short and adequate sleepers: A pathway network analysis considering movement behaviors in low‐income preschoolers

“…Though obesity is a multifactorial etiological condition (Park et al, 2019), that involves social, cultural, environmental and behavioral factors (Park et al, 2019), movement behaviors account for an important portion. Previous studies carried out with preschoolers showed that short sleep duration is a strong predictor of increased BMI (Carson et al, 2017;Ji et al, 2018;de Souza et al, 2021;Wyszy nska et al, 2021) due to the associated increase in cortisol secretion (Eythorsdottir et al, 2020;Fernandezmendoza et al, 2014;Marceau et al, 2019;Saridjan et al, 2017). Moreover, leptin and ghrelin dysregulation cause hunger and eating desire (Kroll et al, 2020), and a long awake period has been associated to an increased caloric intake (Poggiogalle et al, 2016).…”

“…Indeed, prior studies using a linear approach captured evidence on the association between sleep and BMI (Carson et al, 2017; Ji et al, 2018; de Souza et al, 2021; Wyszyńska et al, 2021). Nonetheless, exploring a multifactorial condition requires a multifactorial approach, as different determinants interact simultaneously.…”

“…The benefits of movement behaviors in preventing obesity and promoting the general health are wellstablished (Carson et al, 2017;Ji et al, 2018;de Souza et al, 2021;Wyszy nska et al, 2021). Preschoolers aged three to 4 years old should accumulate 10 to 13 sleeping hours, and for those by age five, nine to 11 sleeping hours are recommended (Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology, 2018;Tremblay et al, 2012Tremblay et al, , 2016.…”

Risk Factors for Obesity Development in Different Periods of Childhood

“…Сон менее 12 ч у младенцев является фактором риска избыточного веса и ожирения в дошкольном возрасте [35]. Продолжительность сна обратно пропорциональна ИМТ и процентному содержанию жира в организме [36]. Короткий сон в возрасте 10-13 лет увеличивал вероятность развития ожирения или избыточного веса в 1,6 раза в возрасте 16-19 лет [37].…”