Timing of sedentary behaviour and access to sedentary activities in the bedroom and their association with sleep quality and duration in children and youth: a systematic review

Abstract

Background The purpose of this study was to systematically review the relationship between the timing of sedentary behaviours and access to sedentary activities in the bedroom with sleep duration and quality in children and youth. A secondary purpose was to examine whether these relationships differ when comparing screen-based and non-screen-based sedentary activities. Methods We searched four databases for peer-reviewed studies published between 1 January 2010 and 19 January 2021. Risk of bias assessment for each study and certainty of evidence were assessed using the GRADE framework. Results We identified 44 eligible papers reporting data from 42 separate datasets and including 239 267 participants. Evening participation in screen-based sedentary behaviours and access to screen-based devices in the bedroom were associated with reduced sleep duration and quality. Daytime screen use was also associated with reduced sleep duration, although this was examined in relatively few studies. Whether performed during the day or night, non-screen-based sedentary behaviours were not consistently associated with sleep duration or quality. The quality of evidence was rated as low to very low for all outcomes. Conclusion In order to maximize sleep duration and quality, children and youth should be encouraged to minimize screen time in the evening and remove screens from bedrooms. (PROSPERO registration no.: CRD42020189082)

Association between Recreational Screen Time and Sleep Quality among Adolescents during the Third Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Canada

“…Another limitation is that our measure of recreational screen time did not ask adolescents if they consulted screens within 1 h of bedtime while this is also detrimental to adolescents’ sleep [ 22 ]. Timing (i.e., daytime vs. evening) of screen time can have an impact on adolescents’ sleep quality and duration [ 48 ]. Finally, other behavioral variables could affect adolescents’ sleep quality as well, such as caffeine consumption before bedtime [ 29 ].…”

Reimagining healthy movement in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic

“…The results indicated that evening/bedtime screen use was associated with reduced sleep duration and quality. 8 While the quality of evidence in the included studies was generally low, the authors concluded that children and youth should limit screen use before bedtime to improve sleep health. 8 Dutil et al 9 also limited their search to children and youth.…”

“…8 While the quality of evidence in the included studies was generally low, the authors concluded that children and youth should limit screen use before bedtime to improve sleep health. 8 Dutil et al 9 also limited their search to children and youth. The studies included in their systematic review described sleep timing as it related to accidents and injuries, adiposity, cardiometabolic risk factors, cognitive function and academic achievement, eating behaviours, emotional regulation, and quality of life and well-being.…”

“…The authors suggest that people should be physically active when it suits them best. 7 Saunders et al 8 focussed on the effect of timing of screen-and non-screen sedentary behaviour on children's and youth's sleep health. The results indicated that evening/bedtime screen use was associated with reduced sleep duration and quality.…”

“…As Janssen et al 7 primarily included studies of adults, it would be advantageous for future studies and reviews to explore benefits of different timing of physical activity among children and youth. Conversely, Saunders et al 8 and Dutil et al 9 included studies exclusively with children and youth (a previous review is available on sleep timing and health in adults 30 ); future reviews may wish to expand their searches on the timing of sedentary behaviours and various health outcomes to adults.…”