The Influence of Sleep and Reading on Overweight of the Children.

The active leisure, in particular reading, and hours of sleep play an important role in health and body mass index (BMI) in children. The aim of this study is to analyze, by means of path analysis, how these variables interact in influencing children's weight. Two hundred and ninety-one children took part in the study. Their BMI was calculated and they were interviewed. A path analysis indicates that spending more time on leisure-time reading facilitates the control of BMI in two ways. Firstly, it is associated a greater number of active leisure activities (r = .35 p < .001) and predicts more hours of sleep (ß = .13 p < .05), which in turn predicts a lower BMI (ß = -.15 p < .001). Furthermore, it has been observed that spending more time reading is associated with less time spent on sedentary leisure activities (r = -.17 p < .001). It would appear that in order to control overweight in children, it is necessary to foster a well-ordered lifestyle. Reading as the last activity of the day can make a significant contribution to this process.

The influence of sleep and reading on overweight of the children

The active leisure, in particular reading, and hours of sleep play an important role in health and body mass index (BMI) in children. The aim of this study is to analyze, by means of path analysis, how these variables interact in influencing children's weight. Two hundred and ninety-one children took part in the study. Their BMI was calculated and they were interviewed. A path analysis indicates that spending more time on leisure-time reading facilitates the control of BMI in two ways. Firstly, it is associated a greater number of active leisure activities (r = .35 p < .001) and predicts more hours of sleep (β = .13 p < .05), which in turn predicts a lower BMI (β = -.15 p < .001). Furthermore, it has been observed that spending more time reading is associated with less time spent on sedentary leisure activities (r = -.17 p < .001). It would appear that in order to control overweight in children, it is necessary to foster a well-ordered lifestyle. Reading as the last activity of the day can make a significant contribution to this process

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Skipping breakfast, sedentarism and overweight in children.

To show by use of path analysis how in children of 9 and 10 years of age the known relationship between breakfast and high body mass index (BMI) is mediated by sedentary leisure time activities. A random sample of 291 9-year-old and 10-year-old school children from the Principality of Asturias (Spain) was taken. A transversal design was used, their weight and height were measured and an individual standardized interview was carried out in which they were asked about their breakfast habits and the time they spent each week on sedentary leisure activities. Using path analysis, a model was tested in which breakfast habits and leisure time were the independent variables and the BMI was the dependent variable. The results showed that there was an inverse correlation between number of breakfasts and BMI and a direct correlation between the time spent on sedentary leisure activities and BMI. Path analysis showed that the relationship between the frequency with which breakfast was eaten and BMI was mediated by the time spent on sedentary leisure activities. The above appears to confirm the direct role played by failing to have breakfast in the pandemic of obesity as this habit tends to increase children's BMI. This relationship is, however, mediated by sedentary leisure. According to the data compiled, being overweight in children can only be prevented by modifying not just one of the habits that have been associated with it, but rather the whole group of habits as these appear to make up an obesogenic cluster in which sedentary leisure and not having breakfast are included.

Relationships between sleeping habits, sedentary leisure activities and childhood overweight and obesity.

The aim of this study is to show how sedentary leisure activities and a decrease in hours of sleep interact to lead to an increase in the body mass index (BMI) in children. A random sample of 291 nine-year-old and ten-year-old schoolchildren from Asturias (Spain) was taken. A cross-sectional design was used, the children's weight and height were measured and an individual interview was carried out. Using path analysis, a model was tested in which bedtime, the number of hours spent sleeping and sedentary leisure activities were the independent variables and the BMI was the dependent variable. The results show that sedentary leisure activities and hours spent sleeping are predictors of a greater BMI in children. Moreover, the effect of the time spent sleeping is mediated by sedentary leisure activities. That is to say, it is those children who go to bed late and who use that extra time to watch the television or play with the computer that tend to have a greater BMI. Attention should be drawn to the importance of this fact and to the implications it may have for education and children's health.

Actividades extraescolares, ocio sedentario y horas de sueño como determinantes del sobrepeso infantil / The relationship between extra school activities, short sleeping, sedentary leisure and childhood overweight

In this study, the relationship between extra school activities, physical activity, sedentary leisure, sleeping and the Body Mass Index (IMC) was analyzed. The sample consisted of 72 students, 41 girls and 31 boys, aged between 9 and 10 years and half. An individual interview was made in which the children were asked out about the TV programs that they watched each one of the days of the week, the time that they spent with the console and the computer, the time that they dedicated to the sports and other physical activities. The results showed that the sedentary leisure (number of hours of television, computer and console) is associated with an increase of the IMC. But sedentary leisure is also related with short sleeping and with the extra school activities. The implications of these results on the study childhood overweight are discussed (AU)

En este estudio se analizan, a través del path analysis, la relación entre las actividades extraescolares, el ocio sedentario, el sueño y el Índice de Masa Corporal (IMC). Participó una muestra de 72 alumnos, 41 chicas y 31 chicos, de cuarto de primaria, con una edad comprendida entre los 9 y los 10 años y medio. Para ello se realizó una entrevista individual en la que se preguntaba a los niños los programas que veían en la televisión cada uno de los días de la semana, los juegos de consola y ordenador que utilizaban a diario, el tiempo dedicado a los deportes y a las actividades extraescolares (que incluía horas de juego en el parque infantil). Los resultados pusieron de manifiesto que el ocio sedentario (número de horas de televisión, ordenador y consola) se asocia con un incremento del IMC. Sin embargo, ese ocio sedentario viene explicado a su vez por un menor número de horas de sueño que también esta influido por las actividades extraescolares. Se discuten las implicaciones sobre el estudio del estilo de vida y sobrepeso infantil (AU)

Actividad física, ocio sedentario, falta de sueño y sobrepeso infantil / Physical activity, sedentary leisure, short sleeping and childhood overweight

En este trabajo se analizó, utilizando el path analysis, la relación entre la actividad física no reglada, actividad física deportiva, el ocio sedentario, las horas de sueño y el índice de masa corporal (IMC). Participaron una muestra de 103 alumnos, 59 chicas y 44 chicos, de cuarto de primaria con una edad comprendida entre los 9 y los 10 años y medio. Se realizó una entrevista individual en la que se preguntaba a los niños los programas que veían en la televisión cada uno de los días de la semana y los juegos con los que jugaban en la consola y el ordenador, el tiempo dedicado a los deportes, juegos y actividades extraescolares. Los resultados pusieron de manifiesto que el ocio sedentario (número de horas de televisión, ordenador y consola) mantiene una relación significativa e inversa con las horas de sueño, la actividad no reglada (horas de juego y actividades extraescolares) y la actividad física deportiva. Las diferencias entre este modelo y el que se ha obtenido en estudios previos se discuten a partir del procedimiento de reclutamiento de los participantes

In this study, using the path analysis, the relation between physical activity, non-regulated activity, sedentary leisure, hours of sleeping, and the body mass index (BMI) was analyzed. The sample was made up of 103 students, 59 girls and 44 boys, aged between 9 and 10 years. An individual interview was performed in which the children were asked about the TV programs they watched each day of the week; the time they played with the console and the computer; the time dedicated to sports, games and other activities. The results showed that sedentary leisure (number of hours of TV, computer and console) maintains a significant and inverse relation with the hours of sleeping, non-regulated activity (games and others activities), and physical sport activity. The difference between the results of this study and the previous one is discussed, taking into account the recruitment procedure of the participants

[Physical activity, sedentary leisure, short sleeping and childhood overweight]. / Actividad física, ocio sedentario, falta de sueño y sobrepeso infantil.

In this study, using the path analysis, the relation between physical activity, non-regulated activity, sedentary leisure, hours of sleeping, and the body mass index (BMI) was analyzed. The sample was made up of 103 students, 59 girls and 44 boys, aged between 9 and 10 1/2 years. An individual interview was performed in which the children were asked about the TV programs they watched each day of the week; the time they played with the console and the computer; the time dedicated to sports, games and other activities. The results showed that sedentary leisure (number of hours of TV, computer and console) maintains a significant and inverse relation with the hours of sleeping, non-regulated activity (games and others activities), and physical sport activity. The difference between the results of this study and the previous one is discussed, taking into account the recruitment procedure of the participants.

La obesidad infantil como resultado de un estilo de vida obesogénico / Childhood obesity as result of an obesogenic lifestyle

En este artículo se revisan los principales hábitos de conducta que facilitan el sobrepeso y la obesidad infantil. La falta de sueño, comer viendo la televisión, comer solo, evitar el desayuno y calmar los estados emocionales comiendo se presentan como un conjunto de factores interrelacionados que configuran un estilo de vida obesogénico. Se analizan las fuertes relaciones que se dan entre ellos y se concluye que sólo la modificación del conjunto de hábitos y no alguno de ellos por separado puede facilitar el control del peso en la infancia (AU)

The present article reviews the main behavioral habits that promote childhood overweight and obesity. Lack of sleep, eating while watching television, eating alone, skipping breakfast and comfort eating constitute a whole series of interrelated factors that shape the obesogenic lifestyle. The relationships among these factors are analyzed. We conclude that only complete modification of the whole set of habits will be useful in facilitating weight control in childhood (AU)