Association between the amount of sleep and obesity in Chilean schoolchildren

Arch Argent Pediatr. 2016 Apr;114(2):114-9. doi: 10.5546/aap.2016.eng.114. Epub 2016 Feb 11.
[Article in English, Spanish]

Abstract

Introduction: Studies mainly performed in adults have shown an association between the amount of sleep and obesity.

Objective: To determine if there is an association between nocturnal sleep deprivation during the week and the weekend, eating habits, physical activity and nutritional status among Chilean schoolchildren.

Population, material and methods: Crosssectional study. An anthropometric assessment was done among 6-11 year-old students; the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used among parents to measure their children's quality of sleep; they were asked about eating habits and physical activity.

Results: One thousand eight hundred and ten schoolchildren of both sexes, attending public schools in Santiago, were assessed. Out of these schoolchildren, 49.9% slept fewer hours per night than recommended. An association in the crude model (crude OR 1.82; CI 95%: 1.29-2.56), in model 2 adjusted for cola drinks (OR 1.83; CI 95%: 1.30-2.59) and in model 3 adjusted for dinner, cola drink and caffeine beverage consumption and nocturia (OR 1.85; CI 95%: 1.30-2.62) was observed. It was also noticed that exercising was a protective factor against overweight and obesity; however, periodic limb movement during sleep was a risk factor.

Conclusions: This study showed an association between fewer hours of sleep and an increase in the risk of overweight/obesity.

Introducción: Estudios mayoritariamente en adultos han mostrado una asociación entre cantidad de sueño y obesidad.

Objetivo: Determinar si existe una asociación entre la privación de sueño nocturno durante la semana y el fin de seman los hábitos alimentarios y la actividad física con el estado nutricional en escolares chilenos.

Población, material y métodos: Estudio transversal. En estudiantes de 6 a 11 años, se realizó la evaluación antropométrica; a sus padres se les aplicó la encuesta de sueño de Pittsburg para evaluar la calidad de sueño de su hijo y se consultó sobre hábitos alimentarios y actividad física.

Resultados: Se evaluaron 1810 escolares de ambos sexos, pertenecientes a escuelas públicas de Santiago. El 49,9% de los escolares dormía menos de lo recomendado en la semana. Se observó una asociación en el modelo crudo (OR crudo 1,82; IC 95%: 1,29-2,56), el modelo 2 ajustado por bebidas cola (OR 1,83; IC 95%: 1,30-2,59) y el modelo 3 ajustado por consumo de cen bebidas col bebidas con cafeína y nicturia (OR 1,85; IC 95%: 1,30-2,62). Se observó que realizar ejercicios era un factor protector frente al sobrepeso y la obesidad; en cambio, presentar movimientos de piernas durante la noche era un factor de riesgo.

Conclusiones: Hay una asociación entre menos horas de sueño e incremento del riesgo de sobrepeso/obesidad en la muestra estudiada.

Keywords: Obesity; Schoolchildren; Sleep.

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Chile / epidemiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Exercise
  • Feeding Behavior
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Overweight / epidemiology*
  • Pediatric Obesity / epidemiology*
  • Sleep*