Association between the amount of sleep and obesity in Chilean schoolchildren.

INTRODUCTION: Studies mainly performed in adults have shown an association between the amount of sleep and obesity.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if there is an association between nocturnal sleep deprivation during the week and the weekend, eating habits, physical activity and nutritional status among Chilean schoolchildren.

POPULATION, MATERIAL AND METHODS: Crosssectional study. An anthropometric assessment was done among 6-11 year-old students; the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used among parents to measure their children's quality of sleep; they were asked about eating habits and physical activity.

RESULTS: One thousand eight hundred and ten schoolchildren of both sexes, attending public schools in Santiago, were assessed. Out of these schoolchildren, 49.9% slept fewer hours per night than recommended. An association in the crude model (crude OR 1.82; CI 95%: 1.29-2.56), in model 2 adjusted for cola drinks (OR 1.83; CI 95%: 1.30-2.59) and in model 3 adjusted for dinner, cola drink and caffeine beverage consumption and nocturia (OR 1.85; CI 95%: 1.30-2.62) was observed. It was also noticed that exercising was a protective factor against overweight and obesity; however, periodic limb movement during sleep was a risk factor.

CONCLUSIONS: This study showed an association between fewer hours of sleep and an increase in the risk of overweight/obesity.