Examining the association between sleep duration, diet and body mass index in Quebec children

Abstract

The prevalence of obesity in young children is increasing. Sleep duration is suggested to affect the regulation of body weight through changes in metabolic hormones that regulate appetite, food selection, and energy expenditure. Using data obtained from the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development, this study prospectively examined: 1) the association between longitudinal sleep duration pattern (LSDP) (age 2.5 to 6 years) and overweight/obesity at age 6 and 7 years; and, 2) whether such an association may be mediated by dietary intake and/or eating behaviour at the population level. Associations were examined using multivariate logistic regression methods, with adjustments for potential confounders. Boys with a 'short persistent or short increasing ' LSDP had significantly greater odds of being overweight/obese at age 6 and 7 years, in comparison to boys with an '11-hour persistent ' LSDP. This association was partially mediated by problematic eating behaviours. LSDP did not associate with overweight/obesity in girls.