0995 BRIEF BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION ENHANCES CHILDREN’S SLEEP AND IMPROVES WEIGHT STATUS

Abstract

Introduction: Observational and experimental studies provide compelling evidence for enhancing children's sleep to decrease obesity risk. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the relative efficacy of a brief behavioral intervention to enhance children's sleep and thus improve weight status. Methods: Seventy‐eight 8 to 11 year‐old children were enrolled into a 2‐month randomized controlled trial to test the efficacy of a 4‐session behavioral intervention, relative to control, at enhancing time in bed by 1‐1.5 h/night. Behavioral strategies (e.g., goal setting, stimulus control, positive reinforcement) focused solely on changing sleep length. Children were 9.6 ± 1.0 years; 62% female, 49.5% Black; mean zBMI 0.85 ± 1.0. Seventy‐six (97%) children completed the study. Sleep period was assessed using sleep diary, daily call‐ins and wrist actigraphy for one week at baseline and 8 weeks post‐intervention. Height and weight were measured at each time point. Results: No significant between group differences were observed at baseline for child sleep, BMI, zBMI, age, or sex. A robust effect of intervention was observed for change in actigraph sleep period. Children randomized to intervention enhanced their sleep period by 35 ± 28 minutes/night compared to control (‐9 ± 39 minutes/night) (F (2, 63) = 21.60, p