Earlier Bedtimes Research Articles

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

ABSTRACT Sleep is crucial for children’s health and eating habits. The decline in family meals has raised concerns about its impact on children. Previous research indicated associations between family meals and psychological health and dietary habits, but their relationship with sleep behavior is less understood. This study examined the association between family meals (breakfast and dinner), sleep patterns, and quality of life among Japanese preschoolers and elementary school students (1st to 3rd 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.

Sleep timing and the prevalence of hypertension in middle-aged and older populations: the sleep heart health study

ObjectivesSleep characteristics such as duration, continuity, and irregularity are associated with the risk of hypertension. This study aimed to investigate the association between sleep timing (including bedtime, wake-up time, and sleep midpoint) and the prevalence of hypertension.MethodsParticipants were selected from the Sleep Heart Health Study (n = 5504). Bedtime and wake-up times were assessed using sleep habit questionnaires. The sleep midpoint was calculated as the halfway point between the bedtime and wake-up time. Restricted cubic splines and logistic regression analyses were performed to explore the association between sleep timing and hypertension.ResultsA significant nonlinear association was observed between bedtime (Poverall<0.001; Pnonlinear<0.001), wake-up time (Poverall=0.024; Pnonlinear=0.076), sleep midpoint (Poverall=0.002; Pnonlinear=0.005), and the prevalence of hypertension after adjusting for potential confounders. Multivariable logistic regression showed that both late (> 12:00AM and 23:01PM to 12:00AM) and early (≤ 22:00PM) bedtimes were associated with an increased risk of hypertension compared to bedtimes between 22:01PM and 23:00PM. In addition, individuals with late (> 7:00AM) and early (≤ 5:00AM) wake-up times had a higher prevalence of hypertension than those with wake-up times ranging between 5:01AM and 6:00AM. Delaying the sleep midpoint (> 3:00AM) was also associated with an increased risk of hypertension. Furthermore, no significant interaction effect was found in the subgroup analyses stratified by age, sex, or apnea-hypopnea index.ConclusionsOur findings identified a nonlinear association between sleep timing and hypertension. Individuals with both early and late sleep timing had a high prevalence of hypertension.

An Interpersonal and Meta-analytic Approach to Parenting Behaviors and Adolescent Sleep.

Two dimensions of parenting behaviors-affiliative/non-affiliative and autonomy/control- are each consistently linked to adolescent sleep health. Parenting behaviors that facilitate good sleep likely involve affiliation (i.e., warmth) and some degree of parental guidance and appropriate autonomy-granting to the adolescent; however, these domains are often confounded in parenting assessments, which limits understanding and specificity of recommendations for providers and families on how to optimize adolescents' sleep. Thus, we categorized existing literature according to an interpersonal developmental framework to identify parenting behaviors most strongly linked to adolescent sleep health. Studies (k = 42) included 43,293 participants (M age = 14.84, SD age = 2.04). Structural analysis of social behavior (SASB)interpersonal coding was applied to define and operationalize parenting behaviors (independent variables). Dependent variables included measures of sleep health (i.e.,sleep regularity, duration, efficiency, latency, timing, quality, alertness/sleepiness) and sleep disturbance. The final effect size of interest for analysis was a correlation coefficient r. Optimal parenting behaviors (e.g., warm, autonomy-granting, moderately controlling) were associated with longer sleep duration, earlier bedtime, less daytime sleepiness, shorter sleep latency, and fewer sleep disturbances. Suboptimal parenting behaviors (e.g., hostile, controlling) were associated with more daytime sleepiness and more sleep disturbances. This is one of the first studies to specify that, when paired with affiliation, both moderate control and moderate autonomy-granting were associated with better adolescent sleep health. Findings indicate that the importance of parental interpersonal warmth extends into adolescence and further suggest that the interpersonal security necessary for good sleep includes appropriate use of control and autonomy-granting behaviors.

A routine within a routine: Can bedtime yoga improve sleep for the whole family?

Parents often point to bedtime as a source of frustration, yet early bedtimes and sufficient sleep are important for children's development, learning, and behavior. ObjectivesThis pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a yoga-based bedtime routine in a sample of parent-child dyads from a rural community. MethodsUsing a waitlist control study design, children aged 2–5 years and their parent were randomized to either intervention (yoga) or control (bedtime story) groups. Pre- and post-intervention measures included the CHAOS, CSHQ, and FNPA scales. Height, weight, and waist circumference were measured by trained staff, while sleep and physical activity were tracked using accelerometry. ResultsOf the 15 dyads that completed all assessments, 13 (81.2%) completed at least 16 yoga sessions. CSHQ scores improved in both groups (Cohen's d 0.42 vs. 0.52 for intervention and control, respectively), and FNPA scores improved in the intervention group (Cohen's d = 0.4). The number of sessions completed was inversely correlated with changes in CHAOS score (r = −0.74, p = 0.003). DiscussionThese findings suggest that a yoga-based bedtime routine is feasible for families with 2-5-year-old children, with good adoption and adherence. Improvements in sleep and household chaos measures indicate that a yoga routine may be slightly more effective than a story-based one. This study provides preliminary support for further research on a yoga-based bedtime routine in a larger sample.

Association between late sleeping and major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with percutaneous coronary intervention

BackgroundSleeping late has been a common phenomenon and brought harmful effects to our health. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between sleep timing and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).MethodsSleep onset time which was acquired by the way of sleep factors questionnaire in 426 inpatients was divided into before 22:00, 22:00 to 22:59, 23:00 to 23:59 and 24:00 and after. The median follow-up time was 35 months. The endpoints included angina pectoris (AP), new myocardial infarction (MI) or unplanned repeat revascularization, hospitalization for heart failure, cardiac death, nonfatal stroke, all-cause death and the composite endpoint of all events mentioned above. Cox proportional hazards regression was applied to analyze the relationship between sleep timing and endpoint events.ResultsA total of 64 composite endpoint events (CEEs) were reported, including 36 AP, 15 new MI or unplanned repeat revascularization, 6 hospitalization for heart failure, 2 nonfatal stroke and 5 all-cause death. Compared with sleeping time at 22:00–22:59, there was a higher incidence of AP in the bedtime ≥ 24:00 group (adjusted HR: 5.089; 95% CI: 1.278–20.260; P = 0.021). In addition, bedtime ≥ 24:00 was also associated with an increased risk of CEEs in univariate Cox regression (unadjusted HR: 2.893; 95% CI: 1.452–5.767; P = 0.003). After multivariable adjustments, bedtime ≥ 24:00 increased the risk of CEEs (adjusted HR: 3.156; 95% CI: 1.164–8.557; P = 0.024).ConclusionLate sleeping increased the risk of MACEs and indicated a poor prognosis. It is imperative to instruct patients with PCI to form early bedtime habits.

The Connection between Sleep Patterns and Mental Health: Insights from Rural Chinese Students.

The association between sleep patterns and young students' mental health, which is crucial for their development, remains understudied in rural China. Therefore, the relationship between sleep patterns and mental health among primary and junior high school students in rural China was examined. A total of 1592 primary and junior high school students from rural areas of Gansu Province were surveyed, and the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) was utilized to assess mental health, alongside self-reported data on their daily sleep patterns. Significant sleep inadequacies were identified: 28% of students received less than 8 h of sleep on weekdays, and 19% went to bed later than recommended. On weekends, 38% of students had delayed bedtimes, though only 7.2% received less than 8 h of sleep. Notably, a "U-shaped" relationship was uncovered between sleep duration and mental health for students on weekends, with optimal mental health correlated with receiving 10-11 h of sleep, while both shorter and longer sleep durations on weekends worsened outcomes. This pattern is absent on weekdays. Additionally, adequate sleep and an earlier bedtime was linked to a 6-8% decrease in mental health risks. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers seeking to enhance student mental well-being in rural settings, emphasizing the importance of implementing measures that promote balanced sleep habits among young students.

Association between sleep state misperception and bedtime behavior in patients with chronic insomnia

Previous studies on sleep state misperception have objectively evaluated sleep status in special environments using polysomnography. There is a paucity of data from studies that evaluated habitual sleep status in home environments. The present study aimed to investigate sleep state misperception in the home environment of patients with chronic insomnia using a lumbar-worn actigraphy to identify sleep habits associated with sleep state misperception severity. Thirty-one patients and 42 healthy volunteers were included in the insomnia and non-insomnia group, respectively. Participants recorded subjective assessments in sleep diaries, objective assessments with an actigraphy worn for 14 days, and self-assessments using questionnaires. Both groups had similar objective sleep ratings; however, insomnia group had significantly worse subjective ratings (total sleep time, wake after sleep onset, and sleep onset latency). A significant correlation was found between subjective and objective total sleep time scores in non-insomnia group but not in insomnia group. Insomnia group had earlier bedtimes, significantly longer bedtimes, and impaired daytime functioning (Sheehan Disability Scale score); additionally, they underestimated their total sleep time, particularly with earlier bedtimes and longer laying durations. Monitoring the sleep status and habits of individuals in home environments could be instrumental in identifying key points for targeted interventions on sleep hygiene and cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia.

Dietary supplementation with Lactium and L-theanine alleviates sleep disturbance in adults: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study.

The use of natural products for the treatment of sleep disturbances is increasing owing to the side effects and limitations of traditional sleep therapy. Moreover, recent studies have shown a significant correlation between sleep quality and gut microbiota composition. This study aimed to assess the impact of LTC-022, a commercially available dietary supplement containing Lactium and L-theanine, on enhancing sleep quality. Forty participants experiencing sleep discomfort were enrolled in a double-blind randomized controlled trial, wherein they received LTC-022 or a placebo orally for 8 weeks. The effects of treatment on sleep quality were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Insomnia Severity Index. To comprehensively evaluate changes in sleep patterns, various parameters were evaluated, including the time in bed (TIB), total sleep time (TST), sleep onset latency (SOL), sleep efficiency (SE), wake after sleep onset (WASO) counts, and bedtime. These parameters were derived from daily sleep logs recorded over the 8-week study period, categorized into weekdays and weekends. Stool samples were analyzed for microbiome composition. The V4 region of bacterial 16S rRNA genes was amplified using specific primers (515F and 806R) and targeted for analysis. Microbial diversity, including operational taxonomic units, the Shannon and Chao indices, the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio, and the variety of bacterial taxa, was assessed. No significant differences were observed in sleep quality and insomnia scale characteristics between the two groups. In-depth analysis using sleep diaries showed that WASO counts after 8 weeks and bedtime after 4 weeks showed significant differences between the LTC-022 and control groups. In the LTC-022 group, significant differences were observed in the increase in TST, decrease in SOL, increase in SE, decrease in WASO counts, and earlier bedtime. Microbiome analysis revealed that the abundance of the genera Blautia and Ruminococcus increased in fecal samples from the LTC-022 group. These results suggest that continuous LTC-022 intake has a beneficial effect on maintaining sleep duration and an appropriate bedtime. Additionally, changes in the gut microbiota may be linked to changes in sleep patterns resulting from the consumption of Lactium and L-theanine. https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/search/detailSearch.do/22841, KCT0007750.

Self-Reported Sleep Duration and Bedtime Are Associated with Dementia Risk in Community-Dwelling People Aged 40-74 Years: The Murakami Cohort Study.

Sleep is a potentially modifiable factor associated with dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, but current evidence supporting this is insufficient. This study aimed to determine whether sleep duration and bedtime patterns are associated with the risk of dementia among middle-aged and older people. This cohort study had an eight-year follow-up period. Participants were 13,601 community-dwelling people aged 40-74 years living in Murakami (Niigata, Japan). Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Predictors were self-reported sleep duration and bedtime, and the outcome was newly-diagnosed dementia determined using the long-term care insurance database. Covariates were demographic characteristics, body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption, total physical activity, insomnia symptoms, disease history, and either bedtime or sleep duration. Cox proportional hazard models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs). The mean age of participants at baseline was 59.2 years. Over a mean follow-up period of 8.0 years, 319 cases of dementia were observed. A long self-reported sleep duration relative to the reference sleep duration (7 hours) was associated with increased dementia risk, with the "8 hours" group (adjusted HR = 1.30, 95% CI:0.99-1.73) and "≥9 hours" group (adjusted HR = 1.46, 95% CI:1.00-2.15) having an increased risk (marginally significant) relative to the reference group. Early bedtime was associated with increased dementia risk (adjusted p for trend = 0.0010), with the "21 : 00 or earlier" group (adjusted HR = 1.61, 95% CI:1.14-2.28) having an increased risk relative to the reference ("23 : 00"). A long self-reported sleep duration and early bedtime are both associated with increased dementia risk in middle-aged and older people.

Study of Sleep Parameters on Respiratory Health and School Performance in Urban Children

Background: Sleep plays a crucial role in maintaining the health and well-being of children, affecting their physical, psychological, and cognitive development. However, research has shown that sleep problems in children are increasingly prevalent, impacting their health and quality of life. Objective: To study the impact of sleep parameters on respiratory illnesses and school performance among children of age group 3 to 15 years. Methods: An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted using a validated questionnaire, in which 300 parents were asked about their children’s sleeping behaviours, as well as about the details of respiratory illness and school functioning. The children's growth parameters were also recorded. Results: 97% of children with early bedtimes (before 10 PM) were found to be more attentive in the class and 83.7% of them had a lower risk of respiratory illness than 82.2% and 52% children with of late bedtimes consecutively (P&lt;0.004). 93.9% of children with night sleep duration of &gt;8 hours, were more attentive and 69.5% of them had a lesser frequency of respiratory illnesses than 78.7% and 53.7% of those with night sleep of &lt;8 hours (P&lt;0.001). The most frequent cause of abnormal sleep behaviour was late-night screen use (25.7%), leading to overweight/obesity in the study population. Conclusion: Children with late bedtime, &lt;8 hours of night sleep, sleep latency &gt;30 minutes, and waking up difficulties had a higher risk of respiratory illnesses and poor school performance. Educating parents and teachers in early identification and correction of children with sleep disorders is very vital.

Sleep Norms

This study documents sleep norms and studies the effect of norm information on anticipated behavioral change. Participants were shown either a small or large gap between others' ideal sleep duration (injunctive norm) and actual sleep patterns (descriptive norm). While we find limited effects of injunctive norm information alone, alignment between perceived behavior and societal expectations led to greater intention for longer sleep and earlier bedtimes. Conversely, a large gap between norms and actual behavior heightened interest in advice for improving sleep. These results suggest that understanding and communicating social norms can be crucial in promoting healthy sleep practices.

Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Anger and Life Satisfaction among Children Aged 10-12 years old in Preveza

IntroductionChildren, who are particularly vulnerable in emergency situations, need tailored mental health strategies.ObjectivesWe investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on anger and life satisfaction in children.MethodsSeptember 2021, we conducted a cross-sectional study in Preveza, Greece, interviewing 91 students aged 10-12 years from four elementary schools. The survey included socio-demographic questions, the Anger Expression Scale for Children (AESC), and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). AESC scores range from 6 to 30 indicating anger severity, while SWLS scores between 5-9 signify extreme dissatisfaction and 31-35 extreme satisfaction.Results Significant correlations were found between the number of siblings (p 0.004), duration of electronic play (p 0.005), and duration of sleep (p 0.014) with life satisfaction. Children without siblings, with limited play consumption, and early bedtimes had lower life satisfaction. The presence of a television in their room (p 0.027) and daily use of television and social media (p 0.007) correlated with anger management and behavior. Social media/TV use was associated with better anger management.ConclusionsDespite the pandemic lasting almost two years, children’s anger levels in Preveza remained stable, possibly due to outdoor activities and online interactions. These findings provide insights for policy makers, healthcare professionals, and parents seeking to improve anger management of children.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Comparative Analysis of Sleep Hygiene and Patterns among Adolescents in Two Russian Arctic Regions: A Pilot Study.

The circumpolar habitat stands as one of the most vulnerable environments for human activity and health. The primary study objective was to compare sleep-related factors, light exposure, social cues, and potential confounding variables among schoolchildren residing in the European Arctic region from two settlements situated below and above the Polar Circle using validated self-reported questionnaires. We recruited 94 children aged 13-15 years (40.4% males), matched by sex and age, from public educational institutions in two circumpolar settlements located below (Kem', Republic of Karelia; 64.6 NL) and above the Polar Circle (Apatity, Murmansk Region; 67.3 NL). Participants completed several surveys, including the Pediatric Daytime Sleepiness Scale, the Insomnia Severity Index, the Adolescent Sleep Hygiene Scale, and the Munich ChronoType Questionnaire, to evaluate sleep parameters and chronotype. The χ2 test was used to test for differences between proportions. Linear regression and multiple regression models with co-factors were applied to assess the relationship between studied indicators. A noteworthy increase in physical activity was observed in children residing in Kem' compared to those in Apatity. Children from Apatity showed higher alcohol consumption than their counterparts from Kem'. The overall rate of excessive daytime sleepiness in the sample was 17.1%. Moderate insomnia symptoms were reported in 18.4% of adolescents living in Kem' and in 25% of respondents living in Apatity, respectively. Notably, participants from Kem' attained higher academic scores and had longer exposure to sunlight on schooldays. On the other hand, children from Apatity tended to have later bedtimes and sleep-onset times on schooldays. According to the Munich ChronoType Questionnaire data, a reliance on alarm clocks on schooldays, and a higher Sleep Stability Factor based on the Adolescent Sleep Hygiene Scale. Our study indicating that higher physical activity and longer sunlight exposure among Kem' children on schooldays are associated with earlier wake-up times during schooldays, earlier bedtime whole week, reduced dependence on alarm clocks, and higher academic achievements. The results of older schoolchildren differ from many works published previously in the USA, Argentina, and Japan, which could be explained by the season when the study was performed. Here, we observed a negative impact on school performance and sleep parameters in children living in high latitudes, namely in circumpolar regions. Our study points out that adolescents living above the Polar Circle tend to have sleep problems, e.g., late sleep-onset times, higher excessive daytime sleepiness, and insomnia-related symptoms, because of experiencing reduced exposure to natural light. Future research encompassing assessments across all four seasons will provide a more comprehensive understanding.

Association between poor sleep and mental health issues in Indigenous communities across the globe: a systematic review.

Evidence from studies among non-Indigenous populations has established the association of poor sleep to mental health issues and supported how improving sleep could reduce the risk of mental ill health. In contrast, for Indigenous people, who experience disproportionate rates of mental ill health, the association between sleep and mental health and the potential of sleep health in reducing the risk and severity of mental health issues have never been fully reviewed. Considering the literature gap, this review assesses the association between sleep and mental health in Indigenous people. Following PRISMA guidelines, a study was submitted to the PROSPERO database for registration (293798) prior to commencing the review. Then academic databases were searched for relevant studies published up till 19 February 2023. Studies with quantitative data on sleep and mental health association in Indigenous people were included and a narrative review/synthesis was conducted. Seven studies, using carer/self-reports (six cross-sectional, one longitudinal) among three Indigenous groups (N = 3066) met the inclusion criteria. In Indigenous Australian children, arousal problems were associated with aggression, and withdrawn behavior, while early bedtime was associated with a lower risk of behavioral problems. In Native American young people, insomnia symptoms were associated with depressive symptoms in adults, short sleep was associated with affective disorders. Clinical sleep issues, i.e. restless leg and apnea, were associated with depression. In Amerindian/Mestizo adults, restless leg syndrome was associated with depression and anxiety. Overall, findings report the prevalence of poor sleep and mental health issues among Indigenous communities across the globe. Six studies scored "moderate quality" and one study scored "high quality" in quality assessment. While there is limited research available, our finding suggests an association between poor sleep and mental health issues in Indigenous people. Further investigation of the potential role of, and investing in, sleep health could help support mental health.

ToSleep Dreaming Medals: Sleep Characteristics, Napping Behavior, and Sleep-Hygiene Strategies in Elite Track-and-Field Athletes Facing the Olympic Games of Tokyo 2021.

Few data are available on sleep characteristics of elite track-and-field athletes. Our study aimed to assess (1)differences in sleep between sexes and among different track-and-field disciplines, (2)the effect of individualized sleep-hygiene strategies on athletes' sleep parameters, and (3)daytime nap characteristics in track-and-field athletes. Sleep characteristics of 16 elite Olympic-level track-and-field athletes (male: n = 8; female: n = 8) were assessed during the preseason period, at baseline (T0), and during the in-season period, after the adoption of individualized sleep-hygiene strategies (T1). Sleep parameters were objectively monitored by actigraphy for a minimum of 10 days, for each athlete, at both T0 and T1. A total of 702 nights were analyzed (T0 = 425; T1 = 277). Female athletes displayed better sleep efficiency (88.69 [87.69-89.68] vs 91.72 [90.99-92.45]; P = .003, effect size [ES]: 0.44), lower sleep latency (18.99 [15.97-22.00] vs 6.99 [5.65-8.32]; P < .001, ES: 0.65), higher total sleep time (07:03 [06:56-07:11] vs 07:18 [07:10-07:26]; P = .030, ES: 0.26), earlier bedtime (00:24 [00:16-00:32] vs 00:13 [00:04-00:22]; P = .027, ES: 0.18), and lower nap frequency (P < .001) than maleathletes. Long-distance runners had earlier bedtime (00:10 [00:03-00:38] vs 00:36 [00:26-00:46]; P < .001, ES: 0.41) and wake-up time (07:41 [07:36-07:46] vs 08:18 [08:07-08:30]; P < .001, ES: 0.61), higher nap frequency, but lower sleep efficiency (88.79 [87.80-89.77] vs 91.67 [90.95-92.38]; P = .013, ES: 0.44), and longer sleep latency (18.89 [15.94-21.84] vs 6.69 [5.33-8.06]; P < .001, ES: 0.67) than athletes of short-term disciplines. Furthermore, sleep-hygiene strategies had a positive impact on athletes' total sleep time (429.2 [423.5-434.8] vs 451.4 [444.2-458.6]; P < .001, ES: 0.37) and sleep latency (14.33 [12.34-16.32] vs 10.67 [8.66-12.68]; P = .017, ES: 0.19). Sleep quality and quantity were suboptimal at baseline in Olympic-level track-and-field athletes. Large differences were observed in sleep characteristics between sexes and among different track-and-field disciplines. Given the positive effect of individualized sleep-hygiene strategies on athlete's sleep, coaches should implement sleep education sessions in the daily routine of top-level athletes.

Association of early bedtime at 3 years of age with higher academic performance and better non-cognitive skills in elementary school

This study investigated the relationship between sleep habits in early childhood and academic performance and non-cognitive skills in the first grade. We retrospectively analyzed a longitudinal population-based cohort from birth through early childhood, up to elementary school, in Amagasaki City, Japan. The primary outcome was academic performance in the first grade. Other outcomes were self-reported non-cognitive skills. Overall, 4395 children were enrolled. Mean national language scores for children with bedtimes at 18:00–20:00, 21:00, 22:00, and ≥ 23:00 were 71.2 ± 19.7, 69.3 ± 19.4, 68.3 ± 20.1, and 62.5 ± 21.3, respectively. Multiple regression analysis identified bedtime at 3 years as a significant factor associated with academic performance. However, sleep duration was not significantly associated with academic performance. Bedtime at 3 years also affected non-cognitive skills in the first grade. Diligence decreased with a later bedtime (21:00 vs. 18:00–20:00; odds ratio [OR]: 1.98, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.27–3.09; 22:00 vs. 18:00–20:00; OR: 2.15, 95% CI 1.37–3.38; ≥ 23:00 vs. 18:00–20:00; OR: 2.33, 95% CI 1.29–4.20). Thus, early bedtime at 3 years may be associated with a higher academic performance and better non-cognitive skills in the first grade. Optimum early-childhood sleep habits may positively impact academic future.

The Impact of Multisession Sleep-Hygiene Strategies on Sleep Parameters in Elite Swimmers.

Short sleep duration and poor sleep quality are common in swimmers. Sleep-hygiene strategies demonstrated beneficial effects on several sleep parameters. The present study assessed the impact of a multisession sleep-hygiene training course on sleep in elite swimmers. Twenty-eight elite swimmers (17 [2]y) participated. The sleep-hygiene strategy consisted of 3 interventions. Sleep was measured by actigraphy for 7days before the beginning of the intervention (baseline), after the first collective intervention (postintervention), after the second collective intervention (postintervention 2), and, finally, after the individual intervention (postintervention 3). The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) was completed concurrently. Swimmers were classified into 2 groups: nonsomnolent (baseline ESS score ≤ 10, n = 13) and somnolent (baseline ESS score ≥ 11, n = 15). All swimmers had a total sleep time of <8hours per night. Sixty percent of swimmers were moderately morning type. Later bedtime, less time in bed, and total sleep time were observed in the somnolent group compared with the nonsomnolent group at baseline. An interaction between training course and group factors was observed for bedtime, with a significant advance in bedtime between baseline, postintervention 2, and postintervention 3 for the somnolent group. The present study confirms the importance of implementing sleep-hygiene strategies, particularly in athletes with an ESS score ≥11. A conjunction of individual and collective measures (eg,earlier bedtime, napping, and delaying morning training session) could favor the total sleep time achieved.

Multiomics Revealed the Multi-Dimensional Effects of Late Sleep on Gut Microbiota and Metabolites in Children in Northwest China.

Background Sleep plays a pivotal role in children's mental and physical development and has been linked to the gut microbiota in animals and adults. However, the characteristics of the gut microbiota and metabolites and the relationship to late bedtimes in children remain unclear. Methods In total, 88 eligible children, aged from 3 to 8 years, were recruited and divided into two groups according to the bedtime collected by designed questionnaires (early, before 22:00: n = 48; late, after 22:00, n = 40). Stools and plasma samples were collected to examine the characteristics of the gut microbiota and metabolites by shotgun metagenomics and metabolomics. Results The richness and diversity of the gut microbiota in children with early bedtime were significantly increased compared with the late ones. Coprococcus, Collinsella, Akkermansia muciniphila, and Bifidobacterium adolescentis were significantly more abundant in children with early bedtime, while Bacteroides and Clostridium sp. CAG-253 were obviously enriched in the late ones. A total of 106 metabolic pathways, including biosynthesis of ribonucleotide, peptidoglycan, and amino acids, and starch degradation were enriched in children with early bedtime, while 42 pathways were abundant in those with late bedtime. Notably, more gut microbial metabolites were observed in children with late bedtime, which included aldehyde, ketones, esters, amino acids and their metabolites, benzene and substituted derivatives, bile acids, heterocyclic compounds, nucleotide and metabolites, organic acid and derivatives, sugars and acyl carnitine. In plasma, fatty amides, lipids, amino acids, metabolites, hormones, and related compounds were enriched in children with early bedtime, while bile acids were higher in children with late bedtime. Association studies revealed that the different microbial species were correlated with metabolites from gut microbiota and plasma. Conclusions The results of our study revealed that the gut microbiota diversity and richness, and metabolic pathways were significantly extensive in children with early bedtime, whereas the gut microbial metabolites were significantly decreased, which might be related to gut microbial differences.

An Investigation of A White Noise-based App for Improving Sleep Quality

‘Sleeell’ (sleep well) is an application designed to solve users' sleep problems. Our goal is to help users solve the problem of difficulty falling asleep and help users develop the habit of going to bed early. We plan to focus on the difficulty of falling asleep among female college students. (Software emphasizes the benefits of different types of white noise and offers unique sleep aid recommendations.) Our market research was mainly conducted at the University of Nottingham Ningbo in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China, and we found that more than 60% of our target users were willing to try our application.Our business model is to charge by subscribing to the app. Users can choose to subscribe to the app to unlock all advanced features. We believe our app has great potential, as our survey found that more than 70% of female college students have difficulty falling asleep and would like to solve it. And our app is different from the normal sleep-related apps on the market. Our app also focuses on cultivating early bedtime habits.

Early emergence of racial and ethnic differences in sleep health among toddlers living in low-income families

ObjectivesEmerging evidence suggests racial and ethnic and socioeconomic differences in children’s sleep health, yet few have examined these differences among very young children. The purpose of this study is to identify potential racial, ethnic, and sociodeomographic factors associated with multiple dimensions of sleep health in toddlers living in very low-income families. ParticipantsSample included 110 racially and ethnically diverse dyads with toddlers aged 12-15 months living in low-income families. MethodsActigraph data (9 days and nights), caregiver completed sleep diaries, Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire—extended, and caregiver-reported socioeconomic characteristics were collected. ResultsToddlers’ average sleep duration (10.25 hours; SD = 0.76) was less than the age-based recommendations. There were significant race and ethnic differences in toddler’s actigraph-measured bedtime (p < .001) and variability in bedtimes (p = .004). Non-LatinX White toddlers had earlier bedtimes and less variability than Black and LatinX children. These between-group differences remained statistically significant after controlling for measured socioeconomic variables (p’s < 0.001). Within racial and ethnic group differences in bedtime and bedtime variability by education, employment, and marital status were identified with medium to large effect sizes. ConclusionsRacial and ethnic between-group differences in sleep occurred as early as 12 months of age and were not explained by sociodemographic variables (eg, income-to-needs, education, housing). Further research is necessary to determine structural and contextual factors that explain the racial and ethnic differences in sleep health in early childhood. Identifying these factors may inform the development of socially and culturally tailored interventions to reduce sleep health disparities.