The Moderator Role of Caffeine Intake in Adolescents’ Sleep and Health Behaviors

Abstract The aim of this study was to examine the relationships among excessive daytime sleepiness, family sleep behaviors, sleep quality, and health behaviors, as well as the role of caffeine intake as a moderator. The study included a sample of 272 adolescents that answered a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Family Sleep Questionnaire, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Modified Excessive Sleepiness Scale, and the Health Behavior Questionnaire. The results revealed that higher caffeine intake was associated with worse sleep quality, worse family sleep behaviors, and fewer healthy behaviors. However, caffeine intake was not associated with excessive daytime sleepiness. In addition, worse sleep quality was associated with worse family sleep behaviors, excessive daytime sleepiness, and fewer healthy behaviors. Worse family sleep behaviors were associated with excessive daytime sleepiness and lower health behaviors. Finally, excessive daytime sleepiness was associated with fewer healthy behaviors. Caffeine intake was a moderator in the relationship between daytime sleepiness and health behaviors. Health professionals (i.e., pediatricians, psychologists, and teachers), when intervening on sleep quality and health behaviors, should assess the adolescent’s caffeine intake.