Bedtimes and Sleep Duration in Relation to Smoking Behaviour in 14-year-old English Schoolchildren

Abstract

SummaryData from a survey of 3727 14-year-old children from 31 secondary schools in England in 1984–85 were analysed to obtain information about smoking habits, bedtimes and times of rising in the morning, on a weekday during school term. Subjects completed a questionnaire, anonymously, in class. Twenty percent of respondents reported that they currently smoked cigarettes. Smokers went to bed significantly later, and spent significantly less time in bed, than non-smokers. Twice as many smokers as non-smokers went to bed at or after 22.30, went to bed after midnight, and spent 7·5 hr or less in bed. Possibly, some adolescent smokers may be at risk from loss of sleep.

Relationship between general hygiene behaviours and oral hygiene behaviours in Iranian adolescents

“…Hygiene behaviours, either general or oral, were practiced more frequently by girls than by boys. This is consistent with the results of the European Health Behaviour School‐Aged Children study and other studies which reported that girls are generally cleaner than boys (7, 13–21). As mentioned earlier, avoiding infection and dirt may explain this phenomenon (12).…”

“…These results agree with the few studies in developed countries that have examined the association between oral hygiene behaviours and general hygiene behaviours. This suggests that the association may be universal as it appears to apply in both developed and developing countries and during different decades (7, 14, 15, 18, 23).…”

“…The link between hygiene and concern about infection has a strong evolutionary basis (12). This concept may serve to explain the universal finding that girls are cleaner than boys (7, 13–21), as traditionally women were involved in cooking, caring, and housekeeping. Conventionally, social, cultural, and community influences have been cited as the reason for gender differences in hygiene practices.…”

“…The results of a recent study on hygiene behaviours of adolescents from the Federal States of Micronesia revealed that common social and psychological factors, such as gender, school affiliation, and smoking habits, are associated with toothbrushing and handwashing after going to the toilet and before eating (23). Studies on adolescents showed that young adolescents who brushed and flossed their teeth more frequently washed their hands more often after going to the toilet (14, 24). The association between toothbrushing and personal hygiene habits, such as taking baths and handwashing after visiting the toilet, was also confirmed in 14–17‐yr‐old Kenyan adolescents (18).…”

Influence of lifestyle on oral health behavior among rural residents of Udaipur district, India

“…Subjects living with less than 5 family members were more pertinent in tooth brushing behavior than were the subjects living together with many family members, in coincidence with observations among Japanese rural population (6). A significant effect of the parental characteristics on regular visit to dentist has been reported (17) and studies among English (18) and Scottish school children (2) found that lifestyle influence the tooth brushing practice in adolescents. The present study also showed relation of social activity (social volunteer work) with dental health behavior, the individuals who volunteer social work rarely were less likely to brush their teeth twice daily and use extra cleansing devices but were more likely to visit dentist.…”