Key result
Greater sedentary behavior linked to lower BEDREST sleep scores in adolescents gaining the most central adiposity.
Why the study?
Few longitudinal studies have examined synergistic effects between physical activity/sedentary behavior and weight gain on sleep health during the transition from childhood to adolescence.
Does sedentary behavior and physical activity impact sleep health in adolescents, and is this modified by weight gain?
Cohort (n=341)
Does sedentary behavior and physical activity impact sleep health in adolescents, and is this modified by weight gain?
Effect estimate: Est -2.04
p-value: p=<0.01
Sedentary behavior negatively impacts sleep health in adolescents, particularly among those who gain significant central adiposity or become obese since childhood.
Should not alter sedentary behavior advice for BEDREST in youth with central adiposity gain; leaves open causality pending randomized trials.
Introduction Adolescents have unique sleep needs that impact their physical and mental wellbeing. The adolescent transition is also characterized by decreases in physical activity (PA) and increases in sedentary behavior (SB), which may have further deleterious effects on sleep beyond weight gain and obesity. Few longitudinal studies have examined synergistic effects between PA/SB and weight gain on sleep health in the transition from childhood to adolescents. Methods We studied 341 subjects from the Penn State Child Cohort aged 5-12 years old (median 9 years old) at baseline and 12-23 years old (median 16 years old) at follow-up (53% male, 21% racial/ethnic minority) who underwent in-lab polysomnography (PSG), had at least 3 valid nights of actigraphy (ACT) and completed self-reported questionnaires. The primary outcome was a data-driven, multivariable, multimethod sleep health score adapting the RU-SATED framework to include Breathing, Efficiency, Duration, REgularity, Satisfaction, and Timing (BEDREST) measured by PSG, ACT and self-reports. The BEDREST score ranged from 0 to 6, with higher values indicating better sleep health. Predictors included ACT-measured SB and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA). Moderators included body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) and their change (Δ) from childhood to adolescence. Linear regression adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, being in-school, internalizing symptoms, and externalizing behaviors as well as height and childhood values, as appropriate. Results Longitudinally, ΔWC modified the association of SB (p-interaction < 0.001) and MVPA (p-interaction = 0.023) with BEDREST score; a modifying role that was weaker for ΔBMI (p-interaction = 0.060). Among children who gained most central adiposity (ΔWC≥24cm), greater SB was associated with a lower BEDREST score (Est=-2.04, SE=0.42, p< 0.01). Cross-sectionally, WC (p-interaction=0.021) and BMI (p-interaction=0.020) modified the association of SB, but not MVPA, with BEDREST score. Among obese adolescents (BMI%≥95), greater SB was associated with a lower BEDREST score (Est=-1.04, SE=0.39, p=0.01). Conclusion Being sedentary negatively impacts sleep health among adolescents who gain central adiposity since childhood and are obese in adolescence. Less MVPA positively impacts sleep health in a small group of adolescents who lost central adiposity since childhood, which may suggest adequate timing of exercise. Support (if any) R01HL136587
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Luongo et al. (2026) conducted a cohort in Sleep health (n=341). Sedentary behavior and physical activity was evaluated on BEDREST sleep health score (Est -2.04, p=<0.01). Greater sedentary behavior was associated with a lower BEDREST sleep health score among adolescents who gained the most central adiposity since childhood (Est=-2.04, p<0.01).
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: