Higgins S, Stoner L, Black K, Wong JE, Quigg R, Meredith-Jones K, Skidmore PM. Social jetlag is associated with obesity-related outcomes in 9-11-year-old children, independent of other sleep characteristics.
Sleep Med 2021;
84:294-302. [PMID:
34217919 DOI:
10.1016/j.sleep.2021.06.014]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Social jetlag has been reported to predict obesity-related indices, independent of sleep duration, with associations in female adolescents but not males. However, such sex-specific relationships have not been investigated in pre-adolescents.
OBJECTIVES
To examine: (i) the relationships between sleep characteristics, including social jetlag, and obesity-related outcomes during childhood, and (ii) whether these relationships are moderated by sex.
METHODS
This cross-sectional study included 381 children aged 9-11 years (49.6% female). Average sleep duration, social jetlag, and physical activity were assessed via wrist-worn accelerometry. Sleep disturbances were quantified from the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire. Obesity-related outcomes included age-specific body mass index Z-scores (zBMI) and waist-to-height ratio. Additionally % fat, total fat mass, and fat mass index were assessed via bioelectrical impedance analysis. Linear mixed models that nested children within schools were used to identify relationships among sleep characteristics and obesity-related outcomes.
RESULTS
Positive associations between social jetlag with zBMI, % fat, and fat mass index were seen in univariable and unadjusted multivariable analyses. Following adjustments for known confounders, social jetlag remained significantly associated with zBMI (β = 0.12, p = 0.013). Simple slopes suggested a positive association in girls (β = 0.19, p = 0.006) but not in boys (β = 0.03, p = 0.703).
CONCLUSIONS
Obesity prevention efforts, particularly in girls, may benefit from targeted approaches to improving the consistency of sleep timing in youth.
Collapse