Research progress on the effect of late bedtime on children’s mental and physical development

Abstract

Sleeping timely plays a key and complex role in maintaining health and optimal function. This review analyzed the relationship between late bedtime and children’s growth and development and its physiological mechanism, and proposed some strategies. Staying up late was associated with brain structure/cortical function, cognitive ability, academic performance, behavioral problems, emotional regulation, obesity-related indicators and other health problems. The mechanism might include direct or indirect effects os staying up late on brain structure/cortical function (by circadian rhythm disorder and sleep loss) through the interference of light and external environmental signals, thus affecting the growth and development. Sleep education, establishment of sleep norms and training of self-control are effective strategies to promote sleep timely. 【摘要】 适时就寝在维持健康和最佳功能方面起着关键而复杂的作用。该综述分析了晚睡与儿童生长发育某些指标之 间的关系及其生理机制, 并提出简要改善策略。晚睡与大脑结构/皮质功能、认知能力、学习成绩、行为问题、情绪调节能 力、肥胖指数及其他健康问题相关。影响机制可能是晚睡通过光和外部环境信号的干扰直接或间接 (昼夜节律失调和睡 眠缺失) 影响大脑结构/皮质功能等进而影响生长发育。睡眠宣教、建立睡眠规范、训练自控力等均是促进适时就寝的有 效策略。