Association between sleep behaviors and obesity among Korean adolescents: based on the 2018 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey

Abstract

Background: Adolescent obesity is associated with a wide range of diseases that does not only impair physical functioning but also negatively impacts the mental and psychological health of adolescents. This study aimed to identify risk factors of adolescent obesity by focusing on the sleeping behaviors. Methods: The analysis was performed using data from the 2018 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey. A total of 60,040 subjects were divided into 2 groups based on body mass index (BMI): an obese group (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) and a non-obese group (BMI < 25 kg/m2). Independent variables included general characteristics, health behaviors, and sleeping behaviors of study subjects. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors of adolescent obesity. Results: Among the sleeping behaviors, weekend sleep time and perception of getting enough sleep were identified as risk factors of adolescent obesity. Among the general characteristics and health behaviors, gender, school year, school type, residence type, place of residence, academic performance, subjective perception on body image, frequency of breakfast intake, fast food consumption, sweetened beverage consumption, nutrition and eating behavior education in school, participation in physical education class, physical activity at least 60 minutes per day, vigorous physical activity, subjective perceived stress, and experience of sadness or hopelessness were identified as risk factors of adolescent obesity. Conclusion: Adolescent obesity was associated with various factors, and weekends sleep duration was negatively associated with obesity. The findings in this study provide evidence that interventions aimed at increasing sleep duration should be considered in the prevention of obesity among Korean adolescents.