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Sleep-related problems and eating habits during COVID-19 lockdown in a southern Brazilian youth sample

José Francisco López-Gil1, Anelise Reis Gaya2, Cézane P Reuter3

  • 1Facultad de Educación, Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain.

Sleep Medicine
|July 31, 2021
PubMed

Insights

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted children's sleep and eating habits. Healthy eating was linked to fewer sleep problems in Brazilian children during the pandemic.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered children's daily routines and behaviors.
  • Disruptions in routine can negatively affect children's health habits, including sleep and diet.
  • Understanding these changes is crucial for maintaining child well-being during public health crises.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of sleep-related problems in children in Southern Brazil during the pandemic.
  • To investigate the relationship between sleep problems and eating habits in this population.
  • To provide insights into maintaining healthy habits during challenging times.

Main Methods:

  • An online survey was administered to parents/guardians of children aged 3-17 years in Brazil.
  • Data collection occurred in April 2020, utilizing a snowball sampling strategy.
  • Logistic regression analysis was employed to examine associations between sleep and eating habits.

Main Results:

  • 495 participants were analyzed, with 48.8% reporting sleep-related problems.
  • 12.3% of participants did not meet recommended sleep duration guidelines.
  • Participants consuming fruits/vegetables and sweets more than 4 and 3 times per week, respectively, were noted. A significant association was found: healthier eating habits correlated with a lower prevalence of sleep problems.

Conclusions:

  • The study highlights a significant prevalence of sleep problems among children during the pandemic in Southern Brazil.
  • A clear association exists between healthier eating habits and a reduced likelihood of sleep-related issues in children.
  • These findings underscore the importance of promoting balanced nutrition for better sleep quality in pediatric populations, especially during health crises.

Keywords:
AdolescentsBrazilChildrenNutritionPandemic

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