Bidirectional associations between sleep quality or quantity, and dietary intakes or eating behaviors in children 6–12 years old: a systematic review with evidence mapping

Abstract

Context Although dietary advice has long been a cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle, how sleep quality and quantity may interact with dietary intake or eating behaviors remains unclear. Objective To consider a bidirectional relationship between sleep and diet in children aged 6–12 years via a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines. Data Sources Relevant trials and observational studies were identified by searching the PubMed, Medline, Embase, and CENTRAL databases up to June 1, 2019, without language or date restrictions and supplemented with hand searching. Recognized procedures and reporting standards were applied. Data Extraction Data on participant characteristics, study parameters, diet measures, sleep measures, and findings of study quality assessment criteria were collected. Data Analysis Forty-five articles involving 308 332 participants on a diverse range of topics were included. Meta-analyses were planned but were impossible to perform due to high study heterogeneity. Most studies (82%) were cross-sectional, which prevented examining directionality of the observed associations. Risk of bias was assessed for trial, cohort studies, and cross-sectional studies, using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool or Newcastle Ottawa Scale. Results Of 16 studies in which the effect of sleep on dietary intake was investigated, 81% (n = 13) reported a significant association. All studies (n = 8) of sugar-sweetened or caffeinated beverages reported a negative association with sleep, and in 6 of 7 studies in which eating behaviors were investigated, associations with sleep were reported. The use of objective measures of sleep and diet were scarce, with most trials and studies relying on subjective measures of sleep (68%) or diet (93%). Conclusion Because most studies investigating the relationship between sleep and diet in this age group are cross-sectional, temporality could not be determined. Additional randomized controlled trials and long-term cohort studies in middle childhood, particularly those using objective rather than questionnaire measures of sleep, are required to better understand interactions between diet and sleep. Systematic Review Registration Prospectively registered with PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42018091647).

Does Modern Lifestyle Favor Neuroimmunometabolic Changes? A Path to Obesity

“…Sleep debt studies have also shown an increase in food craving, suggesting that EB changes can occur by eating behaviorrelated aspects (121,122). These findings were confirmed in epidemiological studies (123,124) and recent systematic reviews, which have shown that sleep debt promotes worse food choices (i.e., snacks, sugar, fat) (125,126). Moreover, indirect pathways mediated by sleep debt can also affect food intake.…”

Losing sleep influences dietary intake in children: a longitudinal compositional analysis of a randomised crossover trial

“…In the current study, we observed differences in macronutrient composition, which supports the findings of some [ 32 , 34 ], but not all [ 33 , 35 , 38 ] previous studies, although it could be argued that macronutrient differences are unlikely unless energy intake has also changed significantly. Although a reasonable body of observational literature indicates that short sleep is associated with lower dietary quality [ 39 , 40 ], the bulk of this research is cross-sectional in nature and thus unable to determine causality. Our finding that the increased caloric intake was mostly due to increases in non-core or ultraprocessed foods rather than core foods, as well as sweetened beverages [ 16 ] supports existing experimental research in adolescents [ 34 , 38 ] and adds support to these observational findings [ 39 , 40 ].…”

Comparison of actigraphy‐measured and parent‐reported sleep in association with weight status among preschool children

“…The findings indicate that for some children with early night time sleep timing there is an elevated risk for adiposity. It is possible that either the sleep timing among these children is suboptimal in relation to their sleep need or the combination of timing and quality of food in relation to their sleep timing might increase the risk for adiposity among these children (Ward et al, 2021). Further studies on the interplay between preschool children's nutrition and sleep on health is required.…”