Association of overweight, obesity and insufficient sleep duration and related lifestyle factors among school children and adolescents

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of overweight, obesity and Insufficient Sleep Duration (ISD) and to investigate their relationship with related lifestyle factors among school-aged students. Obesity in childhood and adolescence is a serious health concern as it may have long term risk for overweight and obesity in adulthood.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of 1,611 students aged between 10 and 18 years from Al Ain city, United Arab Emirates. Data were collected using a multistage stratified random sampling method using a validated questionnaire and the level of significance was set at p<0.05.

Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 42.4%. ISD was 36.6% among students. Higher BMI was significantly related to being a male and inactive (95% CI=0.03-0.23), daily coffee consumption (95% CI=0.03-0.1), older age (95% CI=0.01-0.02), less average sleep duration (95% CI=-0.02 to -0.003) and spending more time on TV/videogames (95% CI=0.01-0.07). The likelihood of ISD was significantly lower among students who consumed breakfast daily (OR=0.58, 95% CI=0.41-0.83), spent less time on smart devices (OR=0.63, 95% CI=0.47-0.84), and never consumed energy drinks or soft drinks (OR=2.64, 95% CI=1.13-6.16, OR=2.02, 95% CI=1.24-3.29, respectively).

Conclusions: The prevalence of overweight and obesity among school-aged students is high. ISD and related lifestyle factors are significantly associated with overweight and obesity. Study findings emphasize the need to address and implement successful strategies for a healthy lifestyle starting from early childhood to combat the increasing rates of overweight and obesity in adulthood.

Keywords: adolescents; children; lifestyle; overweight/obesity; sleep duration.