[Physical activity, screen time and sleep patterns in Chilean girls]

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Health
• Lifestyle Medicine
• Sleep Science

Background:

• Physical activity (PA), screen time (ST), and sleep are crucial modifiable lifestyle factors impacting youth health.
• Understanding the interplay of these habits is essential for promoting well-being in adolescents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between physical activity, screen time, and their combined effects on sleep patterns in Chilean girls.
• To determine how physical activity and screen time influence sleep problems among this demographic.

Main Methods:

• The study included 196 girls aged 12.2 years.
• Sleep patterns and problems were assessed using the Spanish version of the Sleep Self-Report.
• Physical activity was measured using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A), and screen time via self-reported use of television, game consoles, and computers.

Main Results:

• 63.2% of girls exceeded the recommended 2 hours of daily screen time.
• Girls in the highest physical activity quartile who met screen time recommendations reported better sleep quality and overall scores.
• Logistic regression revealed that girls meeting neither recommendation were significantly more likely to experience poor sleep quality (OR=17.8) and general sleep problems (OR=7.85).

Conclusions:

• Parents should establish limits on sedentary screen time and promote active lifestyles for improved adolescent sleep.
• Addressing both physical activity and screen time is vital for enhancing sleep health and overall health profiles in young people.