(P13-045-25) Dietary Intake and Its Association With Risk of Sleep Disorders in Children – The MI Energy Study

Objectives: In adults, diets high in carbohydrates and high glycemic index have been linked to insomnia and reduced sleep onset latency. However, research exploring these relationships in children remains inconclusive. This study evaluated the association between dietary quality and the risk of sleep disorders in children of school age.

Methods: Children (n=212) aged 8 to 11 years, attended a single study visit. The Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) was used to assess risk of sleep disorders. The CSHQ has a total score range of 33 to 99, with higher scores suggesting a greater risk of sleep disorders. The total Healthy Eating Index (HEI) and the scores for its 13 components were estimated from the FFQ. Higher HEI scores indicate greater adherence to dietary recommendations. Generalized multiple regression analysis modeled the association between the CSHQ score (CSHQ-S) and the HEI, as well as its individual components, while adjusting for sex and race.

Results: Children (9.4±0.9 years) had a mean BMI percentile of 68.8 ± 25.8, 51.9% were boys, and 67% were White. The CSHQ-S was directly associated with Black race (β=3.3, 95% CI: 1.6 to 5.0, p=0.0001) and female sex (β=1.6, 95% CI: 0.3 to 3.0, p=0.0174). Specifically, Black children had a CSHQ-S that was on average 3.3 points higher compared to that of White children (Black: 43.2 ± 4.5 vs. White: 39.9 ± 6.4) while girls had a CSHQ-S that was on average 1.6 points higher compared to that of boys (Girls: 41.5±5.7 vs. Boys: 39.9±4.4). There was no association between the CSHQ-S and the total HEI. However, the CSHQ-S negatively associated with the HEI scores for added sugars (β=-0.4, 95% CI: -0.1 to -0.6, p=0.003) and whole fruits (β=-0.5, 95% CI: -0.01 to -0.9, p=0.0436).

Conclusions: The risk of sleep disorders differed by race and sex, with Black children and girls showing higher CSHQ scores compared to White children and boys, respectively. The CSHQ-S decreased with greater adherence to recommendations for added sugar and whole fruit consumption. Randomized controlled trials are needed to evaluate the causal relationships underlying these associations.

Funding Sources: USDA-ARS 6026-10700-001-000D