Association between physical activity, screen time activities, diet patterns and daytime sleepiness in a sample of Brazilian adolescents

• Published in: Sleep medicine Vol. 78; pp. 1 - 6
• Main Authors: Malheiros, Luís E.A., da Costa, Bruno G.G., Lopes, Marcus V.V., Chaput, Jean-Philippe, Silva, Kelly S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.02.2021
• Subjects: Eating behavior; Excessive sleepiness; Social media; Youth behavior; Youth behavior; Excessive sleepiness; Social media; Eating behavior
• ISSN: 1389-9457; 1878-5506
• DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2020.12.004

To examine the association between physical activity, screen time, eating habits and daytime sleepiness among Brazilian adolescents. Adolescents from three high schools (n = 876, 49.8% female, 16.4 ± 1.2 years) participated in this cross-sectional survey. Variables related to lifestyle behaviors (ie, physical activity, screen time, eating habits, sleep duration) were collected through an online questionnaire. Daytime sleepiness was assessed using the Pediatric Daytime Sleepiness Scale (PDSS). Excessive daytime sleepiness was defined as a PDSS score ≥20. The average PDSS score was 18.9 (SD ± 4.8) points and 46.8% of adolescents were classified as having excessive daytime sleepiness. Physical activity was inversely associated with PDSS score (β = −0.29, 95% CI -0.47; −0.11). Consuming processed foods frequently (β = 1.16, 95% CI 0.85; 1.47) and using social media (β = 0.22, 95% CI 0.14; 0.30) were positively associated with PDSS score. Similar findings were observed for the odds of excessive daytime sleepiness. Physical activity was inversely associated (OR = 0.91, 95% CI 0.84; 0.99), while frequent consumption of processed foods (OR = 1.55, 95% CI 1.33; 1.82) and using social media (OR = 1.13, 95% CI 1.02; 1.24) were positively associated with excessive daytime sleepiness. Lower physical activity level, a higher consumption processed foods, and higher social media use were associated with daytime sleepiness in this sample of Brazilian adolescents. •46.8% of adolescents experienced excessive daytime sleepiness.•Physical activity may protect from excessive daytime sleepiness.•Consumption of processed foods is related to daytime sleepiness.•Daytime sleepiness is increased for each 1 h more spent in front of a screen using social media.