Reading at Bedtime Associated With Longer Nighttime Sleep in Latino Preschoolers

Scott J Brown; Kyung E Rhee; Sheila Gahagan

doi:10.1177/0009922815593907

Reading at Bedtime Associated With Longer Nighttime Sleep in Latino Preschoolers

Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2016 Jun;55(6):525-31. doi: 10.1177/0009922815593907. Epub 2015 Jul 15.

Authors

Scott J Brown¹, Kyung E Rhee², Sheila Gahagan²

Affiliations

¹ University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA docscottb@gmail.com.
² University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.

PMID: 26178036
DOI: 10.1177/0009922815593907

Abstract

Objective To characterize bedtime routines (BR) and associations between reading at bedtime and sleep behaviors in a sample of Latino preschoolers.

Methods: A convenience sample of Latino parents of a 4-year-old child completed standardized questionnaires assessing BRs, bedtime reading frequency and other sleep variables. Family demographics and home environment were also assessed. Results Parents of 62 children completed questionnaires. A consistent BR was reported by 48%. Frequent reading at bedtime was reported in 42%. After controlling for key confounders, reading at bedtime was significantly associated with longer total nighttime sleep (P < .01), but not with other sleep behaviors. Conclusion Reading at bedtime was significantly associated with longer total nighttime sleep duration. This, together with the relatively low frequency of reading found in this sample, suggests that interventions aimed at increasing reading at bedtime among Latino preschoolers may improve overall sleep health.

Keywords: Latinos; bedtime routines; reading; sleep; sleep behaviors.

MeSH terms

Child, Preschool
Female
Hispanic or Latino / statistics & numerical data*
Humans
Male
Parent-Child Relations*
Parenting*
Parents
Reading*
Sleep*
Surveys and Questionnaires
Time Factors