687 Changes in adolescent sleep habits during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

IntroductionDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, adolescents have experienced significant lifestyle changes. With an increase in technological dependency and changes in school formats, sleep behaviors may be altered. As individuals with overweight or obesity (OWOB) already report higher rates of sleep issues, they may be particularly at risk during this time. However, to date, there are no data on changes in sleep behavior in adolescents with OWOB during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsParticipants included 10 adolescents with BMI ≥85th percentile (Mage=16.30 years, SDage=1.06; 60% male; 70% African American). Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, participants completed sleep diaries twice per day for one week, noting caffeine intake, bedtime, naps, perceived sleep quality, and media use in bed. Participants then completed sleep diaries again during the COVID-19 pandemic. Five separate paired-samples t-tests assessed differences in sleep behaviors and quality.ResultsA paired-samples t-test demonstrated significantly earlier average bedtime before (M=11:20 PM, SD=55.16 minutes) than during (M=12:29 AM, SD=71.27 minutes) COVID-19 (t(9)=-3.0, p=0.015). A second paired-samples t-test demonstrated lower average media use in bed before (M=11.67, SD=10.97 minutes) than during (M=32.13, SD=27.28 minutes) the COVID-19 pandemic (t(9)=-2.3, p=0.050). No other significant differences were found.ConclusionAdolescents engaged in later bedtimes and increased media use in bed during the COVID-19 pandemic. This suggests adolescents’ sleep schedules have shifted later during the COVID-19 school year, due to either later wake times associated with virtual schooling or disruption in typical daily schedule as a result of the pandemic. However, no differences were found regarding caffeine intake, number of naps, and sleep quality. The significant findings regarding later adolescent bedtimes may reflect delayed sleep phase or possibly improved circadian alignment due to delayed school start times and at-home classes. The null findings regarding naps and caffeine intake may be reflective of the stability of daytime sleepiness. While we would expect daytime sleepiness to improve with increased circadian alignment, the effects may be diminished by increased media use in bed and decreased energy expenditure during the day. Given the observed relationships, current sleep hygiene interventions may require a focus on stimulus control and reducing time with media in bed.Support (if any):