Association of family meals with sleep and quality of life in Japanese preschool and elementary school children: A cross-sectional study

grade). The cross-sectional study involved 6,177 children aged 3-8 years in Japan. Mothers completed an online survey on family meal habits, sleep patterns, and the KINDL-R questionnaire to assess quality of life. Results showed that family meals were associated with sleep behaviors and KINDL scores. Multiple regression analysis indicated that family breakfast was associated with earlier bedtime and wake-up time, shorter weekend sleep duration, reduced social jet lag, and a morning chronotype, as detected by the Munich ChronoType Questionnaire. Family dinners were linked to later sleep and wake-up times and an evening chronotype. Family breakfast and dinner were associated with higher KINDL scores, with dinner having a stronger positive impact. These findings underscore the significance of family meals in associating sleep patterns and quality of life among Japanese children.