RESTING LESS: ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN WEIGHT STATUS AND SLEEPING BEHAVIORS AMONG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN.

Authors

Christopher M. Murphy, Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
Erin K. Howie, Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
Kari A. Weber, Department of Epidemiology, Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
Matthew J. Barenie, Center for the Study of Obesity, Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
Michael R. Thomsen, Center for the Study of Obesity, Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA

Abstract

Sleep is essential for overall health. Insufficient sleep has been linked with numerous developmental deficits in school age children. However, less is known about how sleeping behaviors distribute across weight categories in youth populations. PURPOSE: Examine different measures of sleep on school nights and weekends by weight status and physical activity. METHODS: The current study collected data from February 2023 to May 2024. Children in K-5th grade (N=132), attending public schools in Little Rock, Arkansas wore accelerometers on their hip to estimate sleep and measure physical activity 24 hours/day for 7 days. Anthropometric data was collected, and participants were classified into four weight classifications based on BMI percentiles: normal weight (99th). RESULTS: Participants recorded more total sleep on weekends compared to school nights (531.9 min/night vs 500.4: p 9 hours on weekends with severely obese participants averaging just over 8 hours. Our findings suggest that weight status is independently related to total time in bed, weekend makeup sleep, and vigorous physical activity. Future longitudinal analyses will allow for a better understanding of the relationship between sleep and obesity as children age.

Recommended Citation

Murphy, Christopher M.; Howie, Erin K.; Weber, Kari A.; Barenie, Matthew J.; and Thomsen, Michael R. (2025) "RESTING LESS: ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN WEIGHT STATUS AND SLEEPING BEHAVIORS AMONG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN.," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 11: Iss. 12, Article 77.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol11/iss12/77