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Sleep Duration and Obesity in Children and Adolescents

Larine Sluggett1, Shannon L Wagner1, R Luke Harris1

  • 1School of Health Sciences, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, British Columbia, Canada.

Canadian Journal of Diabetes
|September 30, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Shortened sleep duration is linked to an increased risk of obesity in children and adolescents globally. This review synthesizes research on sleep and pediatric obesity, highlighting a consistent international association.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Public Health Nutrition
  • Sleep Medicine

Background:

  • Global obesity rates are rising, necessitating identification of key risk factors.
  • Childhood and adolescent obesity represent a growing worldwide concern requiring focused research.
  • Inadequate sleep duration is increasingly recognized as a potential contributor to obesity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review existing literature on the relationship between sleep duration and obesity in children and adolescents.
  • To examine theories of obesity and available research linking sleep and obesity in pediatric populations.
  • To synthesize findings from epidemiologic, experimental, and intervention studies.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature review of studies on sleep duration and obesity in youth.
  • Inclusion of epidemiologic, experimental, and intervention research.
  • Analysis of international research, including Canadian studies.

Main Results:

  • A significant body of research supports the link between insufficient sleep and increased obesity risk in children and adolescents.
  • The association between shortened sleep and obesity is observed internationally.
  • Available Canadian research also corroborates this relationship.

Conclusions:

  • Shortened sleep duration is a significant risk factor for obesity in pediatric populations worldwide.
  • Further research and preventive strategies should consider sleep duration.
  • The international evidence consistently supports the sleep-obesity link in youth.

Keywords:
adolescentschildrenenfantsobesityobésitésleepsommeil

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