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Sleep-wake cycles in obese children with and without binge-eating episodes

Orna Tzischinsky1, Yael Latzer

  • 1Emek Yezreel College, Emek Yezreel, Israel. orna@yvc.ac.il

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health
|October 19, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Obese children with binge eating experience more severe sleep disruption than those without binge eating and normal-weight children. This study highlights the link between obesity, binge eating, and poor sleep quality in pediatric populations.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Behavioral Pediatrics

Background:

  • Obesity in children is a significant public health concern.
  • Binge eating disorder (BED) is increasingly recognized in pediatric populations.
  • Sleep disturbances are common in childhood obesity but their specific association with binge eating requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of binge-eating episodes in obese children.
  • To characterize and compare sleep-wake cycles in obese children with and without binge eating, and in normal-weight controls.
  • To determine the relationship between binge eating, obesity, and sleep quality.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 36 obese children, diagnosed with primary obesity, were recruited.
  • Obese participants were categorized into two groups: those with binge eating and those without.
  • A control group of 25 normal-weight children was included. Sleep patterns were assessed for one week using mini-actigraphy and self-report questionnaires.

Main Results:

  • Binge-eating episodes were reported by 37% of the obese children.
  • Actigraphy revealed significant differences in sleep quality across all three groups.
  • Self-report questionnaires indicated greater sleep disturbances in both obese groups compared to normal-weight controls.

Conclusions:

  • Sleep disruption is significantly more pronounced in obese children who engage in binge eating.
  • These findings suggest a strong link between binge eating, obesity, and severe sleep disturbances in children.
  • Interventions for pediatric obesity may benefit from addressing both binge eating behaviors and sleep quality.
Abstract

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