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Association between snacking habits and sleep problems in children aged 6 to 12: a cross-sectional study in Iran

Seyyed Payam Shariatpanahi1, Awat Feizi2, Hamidreza Roohafza3

  • 1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Student Research Committee, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

BMC Pediatrics
|October 11, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Unhealthy snacking habits in children are linked to increased sleep problems, particularly in boys. Dietary interventions may improve pediatric sleep health.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Nutritional Science
  • Sleep Medicine

Background:

  • Sleep problems significantly affect children's physical and mental development.
  • Snacking habits are increasingly recognized as a potential influence on sleep quality in children.
  • This study investigates the link between dietary patterns and sleep issues in Iranian children aged 6-12.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the association between specific snacking habits and sleep problems in children.
  • To identify distinct profiles of snacking behaviors and sleep patterns.
  • To explore potential gender differences in the relationship between snacking and sleep.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 729 children aged 6-12.
  • Sleep status assessed using the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ).
  • Snacking habits evaluated via a nine-item food questionnaire; analyzed using latent class regression.

Main Results:

  • Three snacking profiles emerged: Healthy, Unhealthy, and Mixed.
  • Children with Unhealthy (OR=2.23) and Mixed (OR=2.34) snacking habits showed higher odds of disrupted sleep.
  • These associations persisted after adjustment, with a stronger link observed in boys.

Conclusions:

  • Unhealthy and mixed snacking habits are significantly associated with increased sleep disturbances in children.
  • The impact of snacking habits on sleep problems is more pronounced in boys.
  • Targeted dietary interventions are recommended to improve sleep health in children, especially boys.
Abstract

Keywords:
ChildrenLatent class analysisSleep problemsSnacking habits

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