The Association between Sleep Duration and Overweight in a School-Age Population in Seoul

This study aimed to investigate the association between body mass index standard deviation scores and sleep duration in a school-age population in Seoul.

By using the secondary data of a sample survey (n=25,182) of the Student Health Examination in 2010, the proportions of those who were overweight (World Health Organization definition of body mass index >1.0 standard deviation score) were identified. The association of overweight with sleep duration was also explored after adjusting for age and for meat and vegetable intake, by using multiple logistic and linear regression analysis.

Only 23.2% of participants slept 8 hours or more per day. The proportions of overweight participants were 34.2% of boys and 19.5% of girls. Significant odds ratios for overweight according to sleep duration (based on ≥8 sleeping hours) were 1.28 (for less than 6 hours), 1.31 (for 6-7 hours), and 1.28 (for 7-8 hours) in boys; and 1.19 (for 6-7 hours) and 1.17 (for 7-8 hours) in girls. Furthermore, significant regression coefficients for standard deviation scores (based on ≥8 sleeping hours) were 0.218 for less than 6 hours, 0.149 for 6-7 hours, and 0.099 for 7-8 hours in boys, and 0.137, 0.101, and 0.079 in girls, respectively.

To prevent and manage overweight, it is necessary to develop a school health policy for ensuring optimal sleep duration in school-age population.