Time use and dimensions of healthy sleep: A cross-sectional study of Australian children and adults

Background

Sleep is increasingly recognized as a multidimensional construct that occurs within the 24-hour day. Despite advances in our understanding, studies continue to consider the relationship between sleep, sedentary time and physical activity separately, and not as part of the 24-hour day.

Aims

To determine the association between the 24-hour activity composition and dimensions of healthy sleep.

Methods

This study examined data on 1168 children (mean age 12 years; 49% female) and 1360 adults (mean age 44 years; 87% female) collected as part of the Child Health CheckPoint study. Participants were asked to wear a GENEActiv monitor (Activinsights, Cambs, UK) on their nondominant wrist for eight consecutive days to measure 24-hour time-use. Compositional data analysis was used to examine the association between time use (actigraphy-derived sleep duration, sedentary time, light physical activity and moderate-vigorous physical activity) and dimensions of healthy sleep. Healthy sleep was conceptualized in terms of continuity/efficiency, timing, alertness/sleepiness, satisfaction/quality, and regularity. Time allocations were also examined.

Results

The 24-hour activity composition was significantly associated with all objectively measured and self-report dimensions of healthy sleep in both children and adults. Allocating more time to sleep was associated with earlier sleep onsets, later sleep offsets, less efficient and more consistent sleep patterns for both children and adults.

Conclusion

This study highlights the integral relationship between daily activities and dimensions of sleep. Considering sleep within the 24-hour day activity composition framework may help inform lifestyle decisions to improve sleep health.