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Sleep duration predicted cardiometabolic risk in obese adolescents
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Obese adolescents monitored for their sleep demonstrated an inverse correlation with their continuous cardiometabolic risk score, suggesting that less sleep could influence cardiometabolic health in this population, according to findings in a recently published study.
“The strong association between sleep duration and cardiometabolic risk score independent of the effects of body composition and physical activity suggest a potential influence of sleep duration on cardiometabolic health in obese adolescents,” Heidi B. IglayReger, PhD, of the Laboratory for Physical Activity and Exercise Intervention Research at the University of Michigan Medical School, said in a press release.
Thirty-seven obese (≥95th percentile) adolescents (aged 11-17 years) were recruited from the Michigan Pediatric Outpatient Weight Evaluation and Reduction program at the University of Michigan. At baseline, researchers measured standing height, BMI, body composition, waist circumference, seated blood pressure, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose.
To objectively measure physical activity and sleep, participants were then fitted with a physical activity monitor and asked to wear it continuously for 7 days, including when asleep. Total sleep time was measured and could include short wakings (<15 minutes), according to the study.
Resulting measurements showed only one-third of the participants met recommended physical activity of 60 minutes per day and, overall, they slept approximately 7 hours per night. Recommended sleep for those aged 10 to 17 years is 8.5 to 9.25 hours per night, according to the National Sleep Foundation, but only five participants (14%) met that recommendation, researchers wrote.
The continuous cardiometabolic risk score (cMetScore) was inversely correlated with total sleep time (r=–0.535, P<.001) and sleep session length (r=–0.365, P=.026), but not physical activity. After controlling for physical activity and body composition, total weekly sleep remained a predictor of cardiometabolic risk.
“We have demonstrated that objective sleep assessment may be a useful screening tool to identify ‘at risk’ obese adolescents. This noninvasive screening tool would enable physicians to efficiently reach and treat more patients, ultimately benefiting public health through enhanced clinical practice,” the researchers wrote. “Because we included only obese adolescents, the objective measurement of habitual sleep and a continuous cMetScore likely enhanced our ability to detect an inverse relationship between sleep and cardiometabolic risk in this population.”
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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