A National Survey of U.S. Adolescent Sleep Duration, Timing, and Social Jetlag During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

OBJECTIVES: To assess changes in duration, timing, and social jetlag in adolescent sleep during the COVID-19 pandemic and evaluate the impact of mood, physical activity, and social interactions on sleep. STUDY DESIGN: An online survey queried adolescents' sleep before (through retrospective report) and during the initial phase of COVID-19 in May 2020. Adolescents (N = 3,494), 13-19 years old, in the United States (U.S.) answered questions about their current and retrospective (prior to COVID-19) sleep, chronotype, mood, and physical and social activities. Linear regression models were fit for time in bed, reported bed and wake times, and social jetlag during COVID-19, accounting for pre-COVID-19 values. RESULTS: Total reported time in bed (a proxy for sleep duration) increased on weekdays by an average of 1.3 ± 1.8 hours (p < .001) during COVID-19, compared to retrospective report of time in bed prior to COVID-19. During COVID-19, 81.3% of adolescents reported spending 8 hours or more in bed on weekdays compared to only 53.5% prior to COVID-19. On weekdays, bedtimes were delayed on average by 2.5 hours and wake times by 3.8 hours during COVID-19 compared to prior to COVID-19. On weekends, bedtimes were delayed on average by 1.6 hours and waketimes by 1.5 hours (all p's < 0.001). Social jetlag of >2 hours decreased to 6.3% during COVID-19 compared to 52.1% prior to COVID-19. Anxiety and depression symptoms and a decline in physical activity during COVID-19 were associated with delayed bed and wake times during COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: During COVID-19, adolescents reported spending more time in bed, with most adolescents reporting 8 hours of sleep opportunity and more consistent sleep schedules. As schools return to in-person learning, additional research should examine how sleep schedules may change due to school start times and what lessons can be learned from changes that occurred during COVID-19 that promote favorable adolescent sleep.

Longitudinal Assessment of Sleep Trajectories during Early Childhood and Their Association with Obesity.

Introduction: To identify longitudinal sleep trajectories in early childhood and examine the influence of sleep duration on obesity risk via BMI percentile (BMIp). Methods: Sleep, physical activity, and television viewing were measured in a cohort of 301 children, starting in 2001-2002, when children were 3 years and followed them through age 6. Nighttime sleep, daytime naps, and sleep duration were calculated. A series of latent growth curve models were used to estimate predictors of rate of change in sleep duration and BMIp overtime. A parallel process latent growth model examined the longitudinal relationship between sleep duration and BMIp simultaneously. Results: Most children (>80%) slept >10 hours per night across ages 3 to 6 years, despite the majority of children (>66%) having bedtimes after 9 pm. Sleep duration decreased on average by 0.22 (95% CI 0.20-0.24) hours each year of age (p < 0.001), while BMIp increased on average by 1.76 (95% CI 1.18-2.34) each year of age (p < 0.001). Baseline sleep duration predicted the BMIp slope factor, over and above strong effects of baseline BMIp. This indicated that greater sleep duration at baseline was predictive of decreased BMIp over time (unstandardized coefficient = -1.52 (95% CI 0.34-2.71, p = 0.012). Conclusions: Longer sleep duration at age 3 predicted decreased BMIp from ages 3 to 6. These findings indicate that focusing on sleep behaviors in children before age 3 may be a priority for pediatric providers with a goal of decreasing obesity risk.

Sleep & Circadian Health are Associated with Mood & Behavior in Adolescents with Overweight/Obesity.

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND: Rates of overweight/obesity and insufficient/delayed sleep are high among adolescents and are also unique risk factors for mood/behavior difficulties. This study aimed to evaluate relationships between sleep/circadian health and mood/behavior in a cohort of adolescents with overweight/obesity. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-two adolescents (16.4 ± 1.1 years) with overweight/obesity attending high school completed in the study. METHODS: Participants completed one week of home sleep monitoring (actigraphy), questionnaires assessing chronotype (diurnal preference; Morningness/Eveningness Scale for Children) and mood/behavior (Strengths & Difficulties Questionnaire), and had in-laboratory salivary melatonin sampling on a Thursday or Friday during the academic year. RESULTS: Linear regressions revealed later weekday bedtime and shorter weekday time in bed and sleep duration were associated with worse mood/behavior scores. Shorter duration of melatonin secretion and greater "eveningness" were also associated with worse mood/behavior scores. CONCLUSIONS: Short and late sleep, shorter melatonin secretion, and eveningness chronotype are associated with worse mood/behavior symptoms in a cohort of adolescents with overweight/obesity. Clinicians should assess for both sleep and mood/behavior symptoms and further research is needed to evaluate the impact of improved sleep on mood/behavior in adolescents with overweight/obesity.

Maintenance Following a Randomized Trial of a Clinic and Home-based Behavioral Intervention of Obesity in Preschoolers.

OBJECTIVE: To assess maintenance of improved weight outcomes in preschoolers with obesity 6 and 12 months following a randomized clinical trial comparing a home- and clinic-based behavioral intervention (Learning about Activity and Understanding Nutrition for Child Health [LAUNCH]) to motivational interviewing and standard care. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial with children between the ages of 2 and 5 years above the 95th percentile for body mass index for age and sex recruited from 27 pediatrician offices across 10 recruitment cycles between March 12, 2012, and June 8, 2015, were followed 6 and 12 months post-treatment. Child and caregiver weight, height, and caloric intake, child physical activity, and home environment were assessed. The primary outcome was maintenance of greater reduction of percent over the 50th percentile body mass index (BMI%50th) by LAUNCH compared with motivational interviewing and standard care at the 6- and 12-month follow-up. RESULTS: Significantly lower child BMI%50th was maintained for LAUNCH compared with motivational interviewing at 12-month follow-up and to standard care at the 6-month follow-up; however, the effect sizes were maintained for comparison with standard care at 12-month follow-up. LAUNCH had significantly lower daily caloric intake compared with motivational interviewing and standard care at both follow-ups and maintained significantly fewer high-calorie foods in the home compared with standard care at 6 and 12 months and compared with motivational interviewing at 12 months. However, caloric intake increased by 12% from post-treatment. LAUNCH caregivers did not maintain improved BMI at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: LAUNCH showed success in reducing weight in preschoolers. However, maintaining treatment gains post-treatment is more difficult. Treatment may need to last longer than 6 months to achieve optimal results. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01546727.

Too Late and Not Enough: School Year Sleep Duration, Timing, and Circadian Misalignment Are Associated with Reduced Insulin Sensitivity in Adolescents with Overweight/Obesity.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationship between insulin resistance (IR) and sleep/circadian health in overweight/obese adolescents. We hypothesized that insufficient and delayed sleep would be associated with IR in this population. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty-one adolescents (mean age, 16.0 ± 1.4 years; 77% female) with body mass index ≥90th percentile for age/sex were recruited from outpatient clinics at a children's hospital. Participants underwent 1 week of objective home sleep monitoring with wrist actigraphy during the academic year. A 3-hour oral glucose tolerance test was conducted, followed by in-laboratory salivary dim-light melatonin sampling every 30-60 minutes from 5 p.m. to noon the next day. Regression analyses between sleep and circadian variables with IR were examined. RESULTS: Longer sleep time and time in bed on weekends and weekdays and earlier weekday bedtime were significantly associated with better insulin sensitivity. Participants who obtained less than the median duration of sleep per night (6.6 hours) had evidence of IR with compensatory insulin secretion compared with those obtaining ≥6.6 hours of sleep. A wider phase angle between bedtime and melatonin onset, indicating a later circadian timing of sleep onset, was significantly associated with IR. CONCLUSIONS: Short sleep duration, later weekday bedtime, and later circadian timing of sleep were associated with IR in a cohort of adolescents with overweight/obesity during the school year. Further research is needed to better understand the physiology underlying these observations and to evaluate the impact of improved sleep and circadian health on metabolic health in this at-risk population.

Clinic and Home-Based Behavioral Intervention for Obesity in Preschoolers: A Randomized Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypotheses that an innovative skills-based behavioral family clinic and home-based intervention (LAUNCH) would reduce body mass index z score (BMIz) compared with motivational interviewing and to standard care in preschool-aged children with obesity. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial with children between the ages of 2 and 5 years above the 95th percentile for body mass index for age and sex recruited from 27 pediatrician offices across 10 recruitment cycles between March 12, 2012 and June 8, 2015. Children were randomized to LAUNCH (an 18-session clinic and home-based behavioral intervention), motivational interviewing (delivered at the same frequency as LAUNCH), or standard care (no formal intervention). Weight and height were measured by assessors blinded to participant assignment. The primary outcome, BMIz at month 6 after adjusting for baseline BMIz, was tested separately comparing LAUNCH with motivational interviewing and LAUNCH with standard care using regression-based analysis of covariance models. RESULTS: A total of 151 of the 167 children randomized met intent-to-treat criteria and 92% completed the study. Children were 76% White and 57% female, with an average age of 55 months and BMI percentile of 98.57, with no demographic differences between the groups. LAUNCH participants demonstrated a significantly greater decrease in BMIz (mean = -0.32, SD = ±0.33) compared with motivational interviewing (mean = -0.05, SD = ±0.27), P < .001, ω2 = 0.74 and compared with standard care (mean = -0.13, SD = ±0.31), P < .004, ω2 = 0.75. CONCLUSIONS: In preschool-age children, an intensive 6-month behavioral skills-based intervention is necessary to reduce obesity. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01546727.

Correlates of Pediatric CPAP Adherence.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common pediatric condition characterized by recurrent partial or complete cessation of airflow during sleep, typically due to inadequate upper airway patency. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a therapeutic option that reduces morbidity. Despite efforts to promote use, CPAP adherence is poor in both pediatric and adult populations. We sought to determine whether demographics, insurance status, OSA severity, therapeutic pressure, or comorbid conditions were associated with pediatric CPAP adherence. METHODS: A retrospective review of adherence download data was performed on all pediatric patients with initiation or adjustment of CPAP treatment over a one-year period with documented in-laboratory CPAP titration. Patients were grouped as CPAP adherent or non-adherent, where adherence was defined as > 70% nightly use and average usage ≥ 4 hours per night. Differences between the groups were analyzed by χ(2) test. RESULTS: Overall, nearly half of participants were CPAP adherent (49%, 69/140). Of the demographic data collected (age, ethnicity, sex, insurance status), only female sex was associated with better adherence (60.9% vs 39.5% of males adherent; odds ratio [OR] = 2.41, 95%CI = 1.20-4.85; p = 0.01). Severity of OSA (diagnostic apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] and degree of hypoxemia), therapeutic pressure, and residual AHI did not impact CPAP adherence (p > 0.05). Patients with developmental delay (DD) were more likely to be adherent with CPAP than those without a DD diagnosis (OR = 2.55, 95%CI = 1.27-5.13; p = 0.007). Female patients with trisomy 21 tended to be more adherent, but this did not reach significance or account for the overall increased adherence associated with female sex. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that adherence to CPAP therapy is poor but suggests that female sex and developmental delay are associated with better adherence. These findings support efforts to understand the pathophysiology of and to develop adherence-promoting and alternative interventions for pediatric OSA.