Sleep patterns in children differ by ethnicity: cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses using actigraphy

Abstract

Objectives To determine whether sleep patterns (duration, timing, efficiency) differ by ethnicity. Design Longitudinal study. Setting Dunedin, New Zealand. Participants A total of 939 children (48% male) aged 4-12 years (572 European, 181 Māori, 111 Pacific, 75 Asian). Measurements All measurements were obtained at months 0, 12, and 24. Anthropometry was obtained using standard techniques, and parents completed questionnaires assessing demographics, dietary intake, and television habits of children. Sleep and physical activity were measured using Actigraph accelerometers over 1 week. Differences in sleep outcomes according to ethnicity were adjusted for demographics, weight status, and behavioral variables using mixed models. Results Pacific children had greater body mass index and were more likely to live in deprived areas than children from other ethnic groups (all P