Sleep duration in Mexican American children: Do mothers' and fathers' parenting and family practices play a role?

This study examined parenting styles, parenting practices and family practices that may be associated with weeknight sleep duration among 8- to 10-year-old Mexican American (MA) children. This cross-sectional study of MA children used baseline data from a 2-year cohort study of mother-child pairs (n = 308) with additional data on fathers (n = 166). Children's weeknight sleep duration was accelerometer estimated and averaged for 2 weeknights. Parents reported on their parenting styles and practices regarding food and family food-related practices. Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to examine sleep duration with parenting styles and practices, and family practices, and adjusting for child gender and body mass index. Model 1 included mothers' parenting styles and practices; Model 2 included both mothers' and fathers' parenting styles and practices. Children's average sleep duration was 9.5 (SD = 0.8) hr. Mothers who used pressure to encourage their children to eat and those who used food to control behavior had children with longer sleep duration (ß = 0.21, p < 0.01; ß = 0.15, p = 0.03, respectively). Mothers who reported their children ate dinner with the TV on and those who valued eating dinner as a family had children with shorter sleep duration (ß = -0.16, p = 0.01; ß = -0.18, p = 0.01, respectively). Fathers who restricted the amount of food their children ate had children with shorter sleep duration (ß = -0.27, p = 0.01). Mothers' and fathers' feeding practices, the child's eating dinner with the TV on, and valuing family dinners, played a role in children's weeknight sleep duration among Mexican American families. Parental feeding practices and family mealtime contexts may have an effect on children's weeknight sleep duration.

Short Sleep Duration Is Associated With Eating More Carbohydrates and Less Dietary Fat in Mexican American Children.

Study Objective: Short sleep duration is a risk factor for childhood obesity. Mechanisms are unclear, but may involve selection of high carbohydrate foods. This study examined the association between estimated sleep duration and macronutrient intake as percentages of total energy among Mexican American (MA) 9-11 year olds. Methods: This cross-sectional study measured diet using two 24-hour recalls and estimated sleep duration using hip-worn accelerometry in MA children (n = 247) who were part of a cohort study. Child and maternal anthropometry were obtained; mothers reported on demographic information. Using linear regression, we examined the relationship of sleep duration with energy intake, sugar intake, and the percentage of energy intake from carbohydrates, fat, and protein. Results: Children were 47% male; mean age was 10 (SD = 0.9) years. Mean sleep duration was 9.6 (SD = 0.8) hours; 53% were overweight/obese, with a mean energy intake of 1759 (SD = 514) calories. Longer sleep duration was independently associated with a lower percentage of energy intake from carbohydrates (ß = -0.22, p < .01) and a higher percentage of energy from fat (ß = 0.19, p < .01), driven by the percentage of energy from polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA; ß = 0.17, p < .05). No association was found with the intake of energy or total sugars, or the percent of calories from protein. Conclusions: MA children who slept longer consumed diets with a lower percentage of calories from carbohydrates and a higher percentage from fat, especially from PUFA. Short sleep duration may be a risk factor for food cravings that are high in carbohydrate content and may displace heart-healthy dietary fat, and thereby increase obesity risk among children.

Is it time for bed? Short sleep duration increases risk of obesity in Mexican American children.

OBJECTIVE: Cross-sectional studies show that sleep is related to childhood obesity. We aimed to examine the longitudinal impact of sleep on the risk of obesity in Mexican American children. DESIGN AND METHODS: We evaluated 229 Mexican American 8-10-year-olds and their mothers at baseline and at 12- and 24-month follow-ups. Sleep duration and anthropometrics were collected. Age- and gender-specific body mass index (BMI) z-scores (BMIz) were calculated based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Sleep duration was estimated using accelerometry. Children were also categorized as long or short sleepers, using the National Sleep Foundation's recommendation to define adequate sleep duration (10-11 h for 5-12-year-olds). Using linear regressions, we examined whether sleep duration predicted BMIz, waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), and weight gain at 24 months. RESULTS: Children were mostly short sleepers (82%). Children who slept less were more likely to have a higher BMIz, WHtR, and weight gain at the 24-month follow-up (ß = -0.07, P = 0.01; ß = -0.11, P <0.01; and ß = -0.14, P = 0.02, respectively), after controlling for baseline weight status, child gender, maternal BMI, and occupation. CONCLUSION: In Mexican American children, shorter sleep duration at baseline was associated with increased weight status over 24 months.

Colorectal cancer screening: what do women from diverse ethnic groups want?

BACKGROUND: Little is known about factors associated with willingness to undergo colorectal cancer (CRC) screening for personal or public health benefit among women from diverse race/ethnic groups. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate factors associated with willingness to undergo CRC screening for personal and public health benefit among women from diverse race/ethnic groups. METHODS: We interviewed women aged 50 to 80 from four racial/ethnic groups from primary care clinics in 2003-2005. We asked about demographics, CRC screening knowledge and history, perceived risk of colon cancer, and about the outcomes of intention to be screened for personal benefit and for public health benefit. RESULTS: Of the 492 women who completed the interview, 32 % were White, 16 % were African American, 21 % were Latina and 32 % were Asian. Up-to-date screening was reported by 77 % of women, with similar numbers obtaining fecal occult blood test (FOBT) within 2 years or colonoscopy within 10 years. The majority of women were "likely or very likely" to get FOBT or colonoscopy after learning the benefits and risks. Multivariate models showed that compared to Whites, fewer Asians would undergo colonoscopy (OR = 0.28; 95 % CI: 0.12, 0.63), while more Latinas would undergo colonoscopy (OR = 6.14; 95 % CI: 1.77, 21.34) and obtain regular CRC screening (OR = 4.47; 95 % CI: 1.66, 12.04). The majority would obtain CRC screening even if they would not personally benefit; those who perceived themselves to be at higher than average cancer risk were more likely to participate in CRC screening for public health benefit (OR = 2.32; 95 % CI: 1.32, 4.09). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of women are willing to undergo screening for personal benefit. Asians were less likely, and Latinas more likely, to accept colonoscopy. Most are also willing to undergo screening for public health benefit. Self-perceived risk of CRC was the most consistent predictor of willingness and intention to be screened for either personal or public health benefit.