Disparities in Sleep Health among Adolescents: The Role of Sex, Age, and Migration

Abstract

Background. Disparities in sleep disturbances have been described in adults; nevertheless, among adolescents, data have yielded conflicting results. Therefore, analyses of our cohort study of 500 urban, normally developed Hispanic adolescents (10–18 years), aim to determine if rates of sleep debt differ between: (a) male and female adolescents, (b) US-born Hispanics and first-generation immigrant ethnic counterparts, and (c) specific activities that these teens trade for sleep. Participants’ weekday and weekend sleep patterns, along with the reasons for sleeping less than the recommended hours were recorded. Standardized surveys were used to gather information regarding sociodemographics, migration, acculturation, and medical history. Using the criteria set forth by the National Sleep Foundation, analyses indicated that sleep deprivation is a pervasive problem, with 75% in the preadolescents and 45% of the late adolescents exhibiting sleep problems. Females slept on average at least one hour less per day than their male counterparts (7 vs. 8 hours). The sleep problems were rooted in several overlapping causes, including use of technology, video games, studying, and employment. Nevertheless, reasons for sleep loss differed by gender and by immigrant status. Multivariable adjusted logistic regression analyses showed that females, US-born teens, and preadolescents had higher odds of being sleep deprived. Pediatricians and sleep experts should be aware of gender-specific causes and responses of sleep problems. Cultural ecological frameworks need to be considered, and clearly indicate that findings may not generalize to youth from other cultural backgrounds.

Associations between sleep duration, sleep quality, and weight status in Chinese children and adolescents

“…Survey results also indicated that more than half of the participants (57.15%) do not reach the sleep duration recommendation by NSF [ 35 ] in the current study. The result is consistent with previous Chinese studies, in which insufficient sleep prevalence ranges from 31.3% to 66.0% [ 15 , 19 , 49 ], and higher than those studies from Western countries with 14.2% to 50.0% prevalence [ 16 , 50 , 51 ]. The differences in the prevalence of insufficient sleep may be related to the unique culture and educational system in China, where education is based on Confucian principles addressing the successful scholarship of children and adolescents [ 52 ].…”

Association between Short Hours of Sleep and Overweight/Obesity in Mexican Adolescent Population: A School-Based Cross-Sectional Study

“…However, it must be considered that most of the participants in that study were older than the participants included in our study. Alternatively, the study of Miguez, et al [39] showed no differences in hours of sleep between men and women with similar ages to those reported herein. These discrepancies in the hours of sleep may be explained by the characteristics of the population, as well as the increased access to video games for men compared to women [40,41].…”

Association between Physical Activity and Sleep Difficulties among Adolescents in Germany: The Role of Socioeconomic Status

“…Other variables should be considered while investigating sleep. Sex has been found to play an important role in the context of sleep among adolescents [ 6 , 7 , 12 , 15 , 32 , 33 , 34 ]. Studies have reported mixed results.…”

“…Studies have reported mixed results. However, in girls and boys, different sleep habits, sleep durations, as well as sleep needs were observed [ 32 , 33 , 34 ]. Adolescents’ age is also a relevant factor in sleep problems [ 16 ] and sleep-onset difficulties [ 15 ], which increase with age.…”