Lack of sleep could increase obesity in children and too much television could be partly to blame. (January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Magee, Christopher; Caputi, Peter; Iverson, Don
• Is Part Of: Acta pædiatrica. Volume 103:Number 1(2014:Jan.)
• Page Start: e27
• Page End: e31
• Publication Date: 2014-01
• Subjects: Pediatrics -- Periodicals; Pediatrics; 618.92
• DOI: 10.1111/apa.12447
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0803-5253

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="apa12447-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="apa12447-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Aim</title> <p>To examine the bidirectional relationship between short sleep duration and body mass index (BMI). A secondary aim was to investigate whether reduced physical activity and increased screen time (television and computer use) mediated these associations.</p> </sec> <sec id="apa12447-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>This study utilised data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children, which is an observational cohort study of Australian children. The sample included 2984 (52.4% boys) children followed from 4 to 5 years of age until 8 to 9 years of age. Sleep duration, screen time and covariates were reported by parents, with BMI measured objectively. Cross‐lagged modelling investigated the bidirectional association between sleep duration and BMI; lagged panel mediation modelling examined physical activity and screen time as potential mediators.</p> </sec> <sec id="apa12447-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Short sleep duration at 4 to 5 years of age was significantly associated with higher BMI at 8 to 9 years of age (β= −.07, p = .044). The relationship between short sleep duration at 4 to 5 years of age and higher BMI at 8 to 9 years of age was partially mediated by increased television viewing at 6 to 7 years of age (β = −.01, 95% confidence interval [−.02, −.002]).</p> </sec> <sec id="apa12447-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>Short sleep duration could be a risk factor for obesity in children. Increased television viewing may be one mechanism underlying this longitudinal relationship.</p> </sec> </abstract>