Sleep duration and overweight/obesity in children: review and implications for pediatric nursing.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to review evidence from the last 5 years (2006-2011) regarding a relationship between sleep duration and childhood overweight/obesity.


CONCLUSIONS
Among the 25 studies selected from PubMed and Web of Knowledge databases, all indicated significant associations between short sleep duration and childhood overweight/obesity. Studies explored a range of pediatric populations, methodologies, and potential contributing factors.


CONCLUSIONS
Childhood sleep duration may be a modifiable risk factor in preventing obesity. In addition to identifying and assessing patients' sleep habits, nurses play important roles as educators regarding the importance of adequate sleep and promoting it in children.
School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA. jhliu@nursing.upenn.edu
Jianghong
J
Liu
Angelina
A
Zhang
Linda
L
Li
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D050177:Overweight; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000379:methods; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*; D012892:Sleep Deprivation / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000503:physiopathology; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000451:nursing* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013997:Time Factors