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Sex differences in sleep disturbances in middle childhood: findings from an urban pediatric cohort study
Shuangyu Zhao1, Jing Wang2,3, Seyni Gueye-Ndiaye2,4
1Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, CA, United States.
Sleep
|March 2, 2026
Summary
Male children show higher risks for objectively measured sleep problems like short sleep duration and low sleep efficiency. These risks are not explained by health issues and are higher in older, minority, or socioeconomically disadvantaged boys.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Sleep Medicine
- Child Development
- Public Health
Background:
- Sleep patterns exhibit sex differences in adults, but less is known about childhood variations.
- Understanding sex-based sleep disparities in children is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sex differences in sleep measures among children aged 6-12 years.
- To explore how socio-demographic and health factors influence these sex-based sleep associations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized wrist actigraphy for objective sleep duration and efficiency assessment in 323 children (6-12 years).
- Assessed sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) via overnight in-home testing.
- Employed regression models to analyze sex differences and effect modification by various factors.
Main Results:
- Male children had significantly higher odds of short sleep duration (OR=1.81) and low sleep efficiency (OR=2.04).
- Male sex was linked to a 17.4% higher frequency of SDB respiratory events (p<0.05).
- Stronger associations for males with lower sleep efficiency (older children), short sleep duration (minority children), and SDB (low maternal education).
Conclusions:
- Male children face elevated risks for objectively measured sleep disturbances, independent of common health problems.
- These risks are amplified in older males, minority children, and those from households with lower maternal education.
- No significant sex differences were found in caregiver-reported sleep outcomes.
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