Irregular sleep patterns affect snacking habits in adolescents

Adolescents with constant sleep duration variability, but not habitual sleep duration, have higher caloric and snack food consumption, according to recently published data.

Researchers evaluated participants from the population-based Penn State Child Cohort follow-up examination (n = 421), to assess the link between snack consumption and habitual sleep inconsistencies in adolescents. Using actigraphy for 7 consecutive nights, participants’ mean sleep duration was calculated as their habitual sleep duration (HSD), and the standard deviation of the mean was calculated as their habitual sleep variability (HSV). Participants’ daily total caloric intake (kcal) and protein, fat and carbohydrate intake — in grams — and number of snacks consumed, were also assessed.

A 1 hour increase in HSV was linked to a 201 kcal higher calorie intake (beta = 201, SE = 65, P < .01), 6 g of total fat intake (beta = 6.4, SE = 2.5, P = .01) and 32 g of carbohydrates intake (beta = 32, SE = 8.79, P < .01) after adjusting for age, gender, race, BMI percentile and HSD.

Participants with a 1 hour increase in HSV had a 60% higher chance of after dinner snacking (OR = 1.60; 95% CI, 1.07-2.38) on school nights, and a 100% higher chance on weekends (OR = 2.04; 95% CI, 1.38-3.02). Researchers also found a link between snack consumption during the day on weekends and vacation days.

Reference:

Fan H, et al. Abstract MP72. Presented at: American Heart Association Epidemiology and Prevention/Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health Scientific Sessions; March 3-6, 2015; Baltimore.

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.