Processed Food Consumption and Sleep Quality in School-Aged Children: Insights from a Cross-Sectional Study

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2025

Authors

Gomes, M.S. (Author) Other; Martins, J. (Author) Other; Duarte, A. (Author) Other; Augusto, C. (Author) Other; Silva, M.J. (Author) Other; Padrão, Patrícia (Author) FCNAUP; Moreira, Pedro (Author) FCNAUP; Rosario, R. (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Nutrients

Vol. 17

Final page: 233

ISSN: 2072-6643

Publisher: MDPI

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 0 Citations

Scientific classification

CORDIS: Health sciences

FOS: Medical and Health sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-017-TH2

DOI: 10.3390/nu17020233

Abstract (EN): Objective: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association between processed food consumption and sleep quality among school-aged children. Methods: Our sample consisted of 137 children, with 52.6% being girls with a mean age of 7.9 +/- 1.2 years. Moreover, 40.2% of children had overweight and 35.9% had experienced sleep problems. Dietary intake was evaluated using two non-consecutive 24 h recalls, and foods were categorized according to the NOVA classification system. The amount of sweet snacks consumed, in grams, was recorded for each meal and throughout the day. Sleep quality was assessed using the Portuguese Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ-PT). Results: The study found a significant and positive association between the sleep habits score and daily sweet snack consumption (B = 0.035; 95% CI: 0.011, 0.059). Additionally, there were higher odds of experiencing sleep problems in those children who consumed a higher percentage of energy from ultra-processed foods (OR: 1.043; 95% CI: 1.004, 1.084), higher total daily consumption of sweet snacks (OR: 1.016; 95% CI: 1.006, 1.026), particularly during morning and afternoon snack times (OR: 1.018; 95% CI: 1.002, 1.033). Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of addressing dietary patterns on children's sleep quality. Future interventions should account for reducing NOVA 4 and sweet snack consumption in order to improve sleep quality.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 12