School schedule affects sleep, but not physical activity, screen time and diet behaviors

BACKGROUND

Behavioral changes during adolescence are affected by biological and social aspects. However, environment aspects, which are beyond adolescents' control, also contribute to behavior adoption, and school may have a significant impact in these behaviors. This cross-sectional study aims to investigate how lifestyle behaviors are associated with the school shift attended by high school students.

METHODS

The sample comprised 635 high school students (51.2% girls, 16.33 ± 1.0 years old) from Southern Brazil. Physical activities of different intensities (light and moderate-to-vigorous), sedentary behaviors, and sleep (duration, efficiency, and timing) were measured using accelerometers. Engagement in sport and non-sport activities, screen time indicators, and diet were self-reported. Linear models were fitted to compare each lifestyle behavior between the two school shifts.

RESULTS

Students attending the afternoon shift slept (β = 01:29 95%CI 01:13; 01:46) and woke up later (β = 01.41 95%CI 01:27; 01:54), and had a longer sleep duration (β = 00:12 95%CI 0:02; 00:21) than those attending the morning shift. However, the sleep efficiency of those in the afternoon shift was lower than their peers in the morning shift (β = -1.89 95%CI -3.01; -0.77).

CONCLUSIONS

School schedule was associated with sleep behaviors of adolescents, but not with other lifestyle behaviors.

Scientific papers: Which type would you prefer?

It's very important to enhance the quality of scientific papers produced by postgraduates and scholars from academic institutions. To encourage their academic and professional development, these young scientists should be encouraged to compose nonresearch articles, in addition to original research articles, including short essays, perspectives and reviews.

A review of our roots: blacks in gerontology

The historical underpinnings in the field of gerontology rest on the contributions of scholars across a myriad of racial and ethnic backgrounds. With the increasing diversity of the adult population, there is a need to increase the number of researchers who study older adults from diverse racial and ethnic populations in general and Black elderly people in particular. Furthermore, it is important to document the participation of Black older adults in our earliest and continuing research efforts. Understanding the historical context and the foundational influence of Black scholars in this field is critical. To realize its humble beginnings, one must become aware of the contributions by Black scholars who have a vested interest in the aging process. With universal similarities and unique differences among older adults, there is a need to acknowledge the past and current scholarship of those who study the aging processes of Blacks while marveling over the future possibilities. The purpose of this review is to elucidate the legacy and current contributions, philosophies, and research of Black scholars in the field of gerontology. In addition, exploration of the theoretical and conceptual frameworks used to establish national and organizational initiatives is reviewed. The impetus in initiating and continuing this work requires a "knowledge of our roots" while moving into the future. It is important to learn the history and significance of Black scholars in gerontology, the contributions of older Blacks, and appreciate the resiliency and marveled life course of this unique population.