Purpose: The purpose of this study was to review evidence from the last 5 years (2006-2011) regarding a relationship between sleep duration and childhood overweight/obesity.
Conclusions: Among the 25 studies selected from PubMed and Web of Knowledge databases, all indicated significant associations between short sleep duration and childhood overweight/obesity. Studies explored a range of pediatric populations, methodologies, and potential contributing factors.
Practice implications: Childhood sleep duration may be a modifiable risk factor in preventing obesity. In addition to identifying and assessing patients' sleep habits, nurses play important roles as educators regarding the importance of adequate sleep and promoting it in children.
© 2012, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.