Longitudinal correlates of sleep duration in young children
Publication Name
Sleep Medicine
Abstract
Objective: The primary aim of this study was to longitudinally examine potential demographic and screen time correlates of nap duration, nighttime sleep duration, and total sleep duration in young children over two time points. Methods: Data from the supporting Healthy physical AcTive Childcare setting (HATCH) study were analyzed. Participants were 206 toddlers (19–35 months) and preschoolers (36–60 months) in Alberta and Ontario, Canada. Child age, screen time (television, video games), and sleep duration (nap, nighttime) were measured at baseline and six-month follow-up, while other demographic variables were assessed at baseline only using the HATCH parental questionnaire. Mixed models were performed to examine the associations between potential correlates and sleep duration over time. Results: In the multiple regression models, significant correlates of total sleep duration (min/d) were child age (months; B = −3.03; 95%CI:-3.88,-2.19) and parental education (bachelor's degree vs. below bachelor level; B = 29.74, 95%CI:7.43,52.06). Significant correlates of nighttime sleep duration (min/d) included child age (B = −0.81; 95CI%:-1.53,-0.10), child race/ethnicity (Caucasian vs. non-Caucasian; B = 15.31; 95%CI:0.38,30.25), household income (>$150,000 vs. <$50,000; B = 32.93, 95%CI:9.80,56.06), television time (B = −0.19, 95%CI:-0.32,-0.05), video games time (B = −0.19, 95%CI: −0.38, −0.01) and total screen time (B = −0.19; 95%CI:-0.29,-0.08). Significant correlates of nap duration (min/d) were child age (B = −2.10; 95%CI:-2.68,-1.51) and race/ethnicity (Caucasian vs. non-Caucasian; B = −13.73; 95%CI:-25.78,-1.68). Conclusion: Young children who were non-Caucasian, from lower income families, who had less-educated parents, or who had more screen time tended to have shorter sleep duration. Targeting these demographic groups and screen time appears important for promoting adequate sleep duration in early childhood.
Open Access Status
This publication is not available as open access
Volume
78
First Page
128
Last Page
134
Funding Sponsor
Canadian Institutes of Health Research