BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Data from a randomized, controlled study of adenotonsillectomy for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) were used to test the hypothesis that children undergoing surgery had greater quality of life (QoL) and symptom improvement than control subjects. The objectives were to compare changes in validated QoL and symptom measurements among children randomized to undergo adenotonsillectomy or watchful waiting; to determine whether race, weight, or baseline OSAS severity influenced changes in QoL and symptoms; and to evaluate associations between changes in QoL or symptoms and OSAS severity.

Background Obesity and poor sleep are highly prevalent among Black women. Purpose We examined whether a weight gain prevention intervention improved sleep among Black women. Methods We conducted a randomized trial comparing a 12-month weight gain prevention intervention that included self-monitoring through mobile technologies and phone coaching to usual care in community health centers. We measured sleep using the Medical Outcomes Study Sleep Scale at baseline, 12 months, and 18 months. The scale examines quantity of sleep, sleep disturbance, sleep adequacy, daytime somnolence, snoring, shortness of breath and global sleep problems (sleep problem indices I and II). Results Participants (n=184) were on average 35.4 years, and obese (BMI:30.2kg/m2); 74% made <$30,000/y. At baseline, average sleep duration was 6.4(1.5) hours. Controlling for weight change and sleep medication, the intervention group reported greater improvements in sleep disturbance [−8.35 (−16.24, −0.45)] and sleep problems at 12 months: sleep problems index I [− 8.35 (−16.24, −0.45)]; sleep problems index II - [−8.35 (−16.24, −0.45)]. However, these findings did not persist at 18 months. Conclusions Preventing weight gain may afford clinical benefit on improving sleep quality.

Child care-based interventions offer an opportunity to reach children at a young and impressionable age to support healthy eating and physical activity behaviors. Ideally, these interventions engage caregivers, including both childcare providers and parents, in united effort. This study evaluated the impact of the Healthy Me, Healthy We intervention on children’s diet quality and physical activity. A sample of 853 three- to four-year-old children from 92 childcare centers were enrolled in this cluster-randomized control trial. Healthy Me, Healthy We was an 8-month, social marketing intervention delivered through childcare that encouraged caregivers (childcare providers and parents) to use practices that supported children’s healthy eating and physical activity behaviors. Outcome measures, collected at baseline and post-intervention, assessed children’s diet quality, physical activity, and BMI as well as caregivers’ feeding and physical activity practices. Generalized Linear Mixed Models were used to assess change from baseline to post-intervention between intervention and control arms. No significant changes were noted in any of the outcome measures except for small improvements in children’s sodium intake and select parent practices. Despite the negative findings, this study offers many lessons about the importance and challenges of effective parent engagement which is critical for meaningful changes in children’s health behaviors.