Sleep duration and consumption of ultra-processed foods among Brazilian adolescents

Background

Sleep duration influences the dietary pattern and quality of life of adolescents and is associated with increased ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption among those with inadequate sleep duration, which may be related to the increased prevalence of obesity, insulin resistance, and high blood pressure in this age group. Thus, the study objective was to verify the association between sleep duration and UPF intake among Brazilian adolescents participating in the Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents (ERICA).

Methods

Cross-sectional study using ERICA data, conducted between March 2013 and December 2014 with adolescents aged 12 to 17 years from public and private schools in Brazilian cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants. UPF consumption was obtained by recording a 24-hour food diary and was used as the outcome variable (in grams). The sleep duration was obtained through a questionnaire, stratified into recommended sleep duration (eight to 10 h) and inadequate sleep duration (less than 8 h and more than 10 h). Linear regression was performed to verify the association between sleep duration and UPF consumption. The analyses were carried out using Stata.

Results

66,791 adolescents were included in the study, 55.94 % of whom had inadequate sleep duration. Regardless of sleep duration, male adolescents had a higher average UPF consumption, as did adolescents in the 14–15 age group, who belong to the high socioeconomic score. Adolescents who slept less than 8 or more than 10 h a night (inadequate sleep duration) showed an increase in UPF consumption compared to adolescents who complied with the recommended hours of sleep (37.20 (22.64 – 51.76).

Conclusion

The results show the importance of healthy lifestyle habits, such as adequate sleep duration and healthy eating, for health promotion. Food and Nutrition Education actions in schools are recommended to warn about the harm of inadequate sleep time and excessive UPF consumption.