Impact of sleep hygiene education on sleep and nutrition in children aged 10–18 years

Introduction

Sleep quality has positive effects on children’s sleep and eating habits. In turn, improvement in sleep quality is associated with sleep hygiene training. The aim of our study was to determine the impact of sleep hygiene education on sleep and nutrition management in children aged 10–18 years. In addition, we explored the association between sleep problems and eating behaviours in participants before and after the training programme.

Methods

We conducted a quasi-experimental study between August 25 and December 27, 2023, in children aged 10–18 years who participated in the study on a voluntary basis with the consent of their parents. We collected data from a total of 80 children aged 12–18 years. The study investigated the relationship between sleep problems and eating behaviours. We randomly allocated participants to one of two groups, the training group or the waitlist group. We assessed the association between changes in sleep problems and changes in eating behaviours in the training group. The data were collected using a sociodemographic data form, the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire, and the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire.

Results

In the study sample, the proportions of male and female participants (training group) were 60.0% and 40.0%, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the pretest and post-test scores in the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire and the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (P < .01) and significant differences in the changes in sleep and eating habit scores between groups between the pre- and post-sleep hygiene training timepoints (P < .01). Thus, we concluded that sleep hygiene training is associated with and has an impact on sleep and nutrition.

Conclusion

We observed that in children aged 10–18 years, sleep problems were associated with their eating behaviours. Sleep hygiene education had a significant and favourable impact on sleep and nutrition outcomes. Thus, sleep hygiene training has an important effect on children’s sleep and diet.