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

摘要

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.