Sleep patterns, electronic media exposure and daytime sleep‐related behaviours among Israeli adolescents

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess weekday and weekend sleep patterns and their relationships with electronic media (television and computer) exposure and with daytime sleep-related behaviours, including sleep problem behaviours, sleepiness and fatigue in Israeli adolescents. A cross-sectional survey, which includes 470 8th and 9th grade middle school students (mean age 14 ± 0.8) in the normative school system, was performed. Students completed the modified School Sleep Habits Survey (SSHS), and the modified Electronic Media and Fatigue Questionnaire (EMFQ). Adolescents went to bed at 23:00 and 01:45 hours, and slept <7.5 and nearly 10.0 h on average, during weekdays and weekends respectively. Average electronic media exposure per day was about 3 h for television and 2.5 h for internet. Adolescents with a bedroom television went to bed later, had longer sleep latency and slept less than those without a bedroom television. Increased electronic media exposure and poor daytime sleep-related behaviours predicted later bedtime, longer sleep latency during weekdays and later wake-up time during weekends. Poor sleep patterns in Israeli adolescents are related to excessive electronic media habits and daytime sleep-related problems. These findings raise a public health concern regarding lifestyle and functioning in young individuals.