Sounding the Alarm on Sleep: A Negative Association Between Inadequate Sleep and Flourishing

Hoi See Tsao, Annie Gjelsvik, Sakina Sojar, Siraj Amanullah

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To assess the national prevalence of inadequate sleep among school-age children and its relationship with childhood flourishing. Study design: This cross-sectional study analyzed 49 050 parental responses from the 2016-2017 National Survey of Children's Health for school-age children. Inadequate sleep duration was defined as <9 hours for 6- to 12-year-olds and <8 hours for 13- to 17-year-olds on an average weeknight. Five markers of flourishing were examined individually and as a combined measure. Logistic regression was used with complex survey design and applied weights. Results: Inadequate sleep was found in 36.4% of 6- to 12-year-olds and in 31.9% of 13- to 17-year-olds. Compared with children with adequate sleep, 6- to 12-year-olds with inadequate sleep had increased odds of not showing interest and curiosity in learning (aOR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.34-1.94), not caring about doing well in school (aOR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.23-1.71), not doing homework (aOR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.24-1.68), and not finishing tasks (aOR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.03-1.35). Children aged 13-17 years with inadequate sleep had increased odds of not doing homework (aOR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.17-1.58), not staying calm and in control when challenged (aOR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.16-1.54), not showing interest and curiosity in learning (aOR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.14-1.58), not finishing tasks (aOR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.03-1.40), and not demonstrating the combined flourishing measure (aOR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.17-1.56). Conclusions: Nationally representative data show that one-third of school-age children have inadequate sleep. Inadequate sleep is associated with decreased flourishing. These data will help inform sleep policies and optimize child development.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)199-207.e3
JournalJournal of Pediatrics
Volume228
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2021
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • child development
  • public health
  • school health
  • school policy
  • school-age children

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Sounding the Alarm on Sleep: A Negative Association Between Inadequate Sleep and Flourishing'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this