Determinants of Sleepiness among Pupils in Kanto District of Japan

Abstract

Backgrounds: Sleepiness is reported to predict sleep quality, academic performance and self-regulation. This study aimed to discover determinants of sleepiness. Methods: On 2722 questionnaires obtained from pupils in grades 5 -12 in the Kanto district of Japan, lifestyle habits associated with sleepiness were analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: The rate of sleepy pupils (who feel sleepy during class as often and always) increased from elementary school (6.3%) to senior high school (42.4%) via junior high school (17.1%). Higher grade (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21 -1.37; p < 0.001), later bedtime before school day (OR, 1.41; CI, 1.26 -1.57; p < 0.001), longer non-school day screen time (OR, 1.27; CI, 1.16 -1.40; p < 0.001), poor self-reported academic performance (OR, 1.41; CI, 1.24 -1.60; p < 0.001), skipping breakfast (OR, 1.18; CI, 1.01 -1.39; p = 0.041), earlier wake time on school day (OR, 0.84; CI, 0.71 -0.98; p = 0.026), and higher after-school (OR, 1.03; CI, 1.02 -1.04; p < 0.001) and physical activities (OR, 1.06; CL, 1.03 -1.10; p < 0.001) were independently associated with sleepy pupils. Conclusions: To reduce adolescents' sleepiness in the Kanto district of Japan, we recommend them to have adequate waking time, and to avoid late bedtime, breakfast skipping, excessive screen time, after-school activity, and physical activity. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm involvements of these recommended factors in sleepiness and both physical and mental health outcomes.

Non-School Day Catch-Up Sleep among Pupils in Japan

“…Although the current DMCT demonstrated that the pupils with nSDCUS > 2 hours showed a significantly poorer academic performance only in the LSG, the present MRA failed to show significant associations between nSDCUS and academic performance as described by Kuula et al [8]. Not a short sleep duration [21] but a higher sleepiness [23] is found to be associated with poor academic performance. It could be assumed that pupils with long optimal sleep duration are tended to be suffering from sleepiness, although sleepiness in the current study showed no significant difference on both DMCT and MRA.…”

“…This study was part of a survey conducted between October 2016 and November 2018 [21] [22] [23]. The study questionnaire was handed to students in grades 5 to 12 at 28 public schools (15 elementary schools, 8 junior high schools, and 5 senior high schools) by their schoolteachers.…”