Dietary and Activity Factors Influence Poor Sleep and the Sleep-Obesity Nexus among Children

Abstract

Background: Behavioral factors such as physical activity, sedentary behavior and diet have previously been found to be key modifiable determinants of childhood overweight and obesity, yet require further investigation to provide an understanding of their potential influence on sleep outcomes along with the sleep-obesity nexus. Methods: The study included 2253 students (ages 8.8–13.5) from two monitoring studies across regional Victoria. Students completed a self-report electronic questionnaire on demographic characteristics, health behaviors (including sleep, physical activity, screen time and diet) and well-being, and were invited to have anthropometric measurements (height and weight) taken. Regression models were used to assess the associations between sleep, behavioral factors and BMI z-scores. Results: Screen time (particularly in bed) and sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption were shown to increase the likelihood of having more than three sleep problems, while physical activity and other dietary factors were not. After controlling for these behaviors, significance remained for having two or more than three sleep problems and an increased odds of overweight/obesity. Conclusions: This study highlights how the usage of screen devices and SSB consumption behaviors might influence children’s weight status via the sleep-obesity nexus.

Prevalence and Predictors of Overweight and Obesity among Young Children in the Children’s Healthy Living Study on Guam

“…This aligns with the research linking poor sleep quality with OWOB and an increased risk for cognitive and behavioral problems [56][57][58]. Research also links reduced sleep quality with high SSB intake, and in bed screen-time [59].…”

“…These family stressors may also contribute to OWOB among children on Guam. With respect to OWOB prevention guidance, the study found evidence supporting previous studies' findings that traditional or low acculturation to be protective against obesity [39,59,60]. Healthy cultural behaviors, both unique to and shared across ethnic group(s), should be incorporated in future obesity interventions by highlighting healthy cultural values, practices and traditional foods.…”

Unprecedented times and uncertain connections: A systematic review examining sleep problems and screentime during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Sedentary behaviors, such as increased screen time, related to higher levels of depression [ 47 , 53 ]. Increased screen time may also contribute to other health consequences such as suicidal ideation [50] , obesity [ 19 , 29 ], and changes to brain networks [40] . Furthermore, heavy screen users demonstrated the highest level of perceived stress and rated their health the lowest [43] .…”

“…Research studies conducted before the COVID-19 pandemic hypothesize that screen time may explain these results. For example, greater screen time has been related to decreased sleep quality [ 29 , 43 ] and decreased sleep quantity [43] . In children, screen time before bed negatively correlated with their sleep duration and contributed to later bedtimes compared to time spent with books before bed [6] .…”

“…In children, screen time before bed negatively correlated with their sleep duration and contributed to later bedtimes compared to time spent with books before bed [6] . Moreover, children who increased their screen usage were more likely to be labeled as overweight, in addition to a shorter sleep duration [29] . For adults, shorter sleep durations related to a significantly greater amount of screen time and a higher BMI [21] , and higher screen time at bedtime related to reduced sleep quality, efficiency, and a greater sleep onset latency in adults [10] .…”