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Association between objectively measured body composition, sleep parameters and physical activity in preschool

Justyna Wyszyńska1, Piotr Matłosz2, Muhammad Asif3

  • 1Institute of Health Sciences, Medical College, University of Rzeszów, Rzeszow, Poland justyna.wyszynska@onet.pl.

BMJ Open
|January 21, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Objective sleep measures in preschoolers reveal that better sleep efficiency and longer sleep duration are linked to healthier body composition, including lower body fat and higher muscle mass. These findings suggest monitoring sleep is important for preventing childhood obesity.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Sleep Science
  • Obesity Research

Background:

  • Established links exist between self-reported sleep duration and childhood obesity.
  • However, research on objectively measured sleep parameters and physical activity concerning preschooler body composition is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate associations between objectively measured sleep parameters and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) with body composition in preschoolers.
  • To utilize objective measures for a more accurate assessment of these relationships.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 676 preschoolers aged 5-6 years.
  • Objective measurement of sleep parameters and MVPA using accelerometers over 7 days.
  • Bioelectrical impedance analysis to assess body composition (body fat percentage, fat-free mass, muscle mass).

Main Results:

  • Sleep duration and sleep efficiency showed inverse associations with body fat percentage and body mass index, and direct associations with fat-free mass and muscle mass.
  • Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was inversely associated with body fat percentage.
  • Increased awakenings and sleep periods correlated with higher body fat percentage.

Conclusions:

  • Objective assessment of sleep parameters and MVPA is valuable for understanding preschooler body composition.
  • Periodic monitoring, particularly for at-risk children, may aid in obesity prevention strategies.
Abstract

Keywords:
paediatricspublic healthsleep medicine

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