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Daytime sleepiness and associated factors in Japanese school children

Alexandru Gaina1, Michikazu Sekine, Shimako Hamanishi

  • 1Department of Welfare Promotion and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan. alga@med.u-toyama.ac.jp

The Journal of Pediatrics
|October 27, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Daytime sleepiness is common in Japanese junior high students, linked to poor sleep habits, low physical activity, and high media use. Promoting healthy sleep and lifestyle choices is crucial for improving student well-being.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Daytime sleepiness is a prevalent issue among school-aged children.
  • Factors influencing sleepiness in adolescents require further investigation.
  • Understanding the relationship between lifestyle and sleepiness is vital for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of daytime sleepiness in Japanese junior high school students.
  • To examine the association between daytime sleepiness and sleep-wake patterns, eating habits, physical activity, and media consumption.
  • To identify key factors contributing to sleepiness in this population.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 9,261 junior high school students in Toyama prefecture, Japan.
  • Data collected included self-reported daytime sleepiness, sleep-wake patterns, dietary habits, physical activity levels, and media usage.
  • Statistical analyses were performed to determine associations between variables.

Main Results:

  • Over 70% of students reported experiencing sleepiness often or almost always.
  • Girls reported higher rates of sleepiness than boys.
  • Sleepiness was associated with reduced sleep time, higher body mass index, snacking habits, sleep disturbances, sedentary behavior, and increased media use.
  • A dose-response relationship was observed between sleepiness and sleep disturbances, physical activity, and media use.

Conclusions:

  • Sleep insufficiency is a primary driver of daytime sleepiness in Japanese junior high school children.
  • Interventions should focus on promoting adequate sleep duration and quality.
  • Encouraging regular physical activity and limiting screen time are recommended strategies to combat daytime sleepiness.
Abstract

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