Abstract
Abstract Introduction Obesity rates among Hispanic (26%) and Black (22%) children are considerably higher compared to their white counterparts (14%), which evidence suggests may be attributable to biological, behavioral, and psychosocial factors affecting the family unit. Bio-behavioral factors in the household may affect child health behaviors, including sleep, a known predictor for obesity. Hispanic and Black children report shorter sleep duration, later bedtimes, and are often lacking in bedtime routines, compared to white children. Evidence suggests that early childhood routines are highly predictive of overweight status in children. Herein, we investigate whether bedtime routines are associated with the genetic allele for obesity in a racially diverse sample of children. Methods Data for the present analysis emanated from wave 5 (Year 9--2007–2010) cohort of the Fragile Families Child and Wellbeing Study dataset. During home visits, interviews with children’s mother and father during home visits, around the target child’s ninth birthday collected data on home routines and other parent-child relationship and school connectedness topics. Saliva samples were also collected at Year 9 to assess telomere length and DNA methylation levels and changes. The independent variable was regular bedtime routine, and biological variable for fat mass and obesity (rs9939609) was the dependent variable. Adjusted covariates included child’s age and BMI, and parent household income. Results Analysis of the final sample of 466 children showed 52% of the children were male and were 9 years old, on average; 35% were White, 46% Black, 20% Hispanic, 4% Asian and 5% other. The median family income was $42,500. The child’s sleep measures captured was ‘children have a regular bedtime routine’ was associated with (β = -0.137, p = 0.01) decrease in the odds of having the genetic allele for obesity. Conclusion Regular bedtime routines among 9-year old Black and Hispanic children may be associated with genetic alleles related to fat mass and obesity. Regular bedtime routines could aid in promoting healthy weight in children. Support (if any) NIH (T32HL129953, K07AG052685, R01MD007716, R01HL142066, K01HL135452, R01HL152453.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.