Relationships between hours of sleep and health-risk behaviors in US adolescent students

Relationships between hours of sleep and health-risk behaviors in US adolescent students

Lela R. McKnight-Eily^a, , , Danice K. Eaton^b, Richard Lowry^b, Janet B. Croft^a, Letitia Presley-Cantrell^a, Geraldine S. Perry^a

a	Division of Adult and Community Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy, NE, MS K-67, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA

b	Division of Adolescent and School Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy, NE, MS K-33, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA

Available online 5 August 2011.

Abstract

Objective

To examine associations between insufficient sleep (less than 8 h on average school nights) and health-risk behaviors.

Methods

2007 national Youth Risk Behavior Survey data of U.S. high school students (n = 12,154) were analyzed. Associations were examined on weighted data using multivariate logistic regression.

Results

Insufficient sleep on an average school night was reported by 68.9% of students. Insufficient sleep was associated with higher odds of current use of cigarettes (age-adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.45–1.93), marijuana (AOR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.31–1.76), and alcohol (AOR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.46–1.84); current sexual activity (AOR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.25–1.59); seriously considered attempting suicide (AOR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.60–2.16); feeling sad or hopeless (AOR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.43–1.84); physical fighting (AOR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.24–1.60), not being physically active at least 60 min ≥ 5 days in the past 7 days (AOR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.04–1.29), using the computer ≥ 3 h/day (AOR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.38–1.80), and drinking soda/pop > 1 time/day (AOR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.03–1.28).

Conclusion

Two-thirds of adolescent students reported insufficient sleep, which was associated with many health-risk behaviors. Greater awareness of the impact of sleep insufficiency is vital.

Highlights

► 68.9% of U.S. high school students reported insufficient sleep. ► Insufficient sleep was associated with a variety of health-risk behaviors. ► Variations by race and sex in these associations were found.

Abbreviations: YRBS, Youth Risk Behavior Survey; CI, confidence interval; AOR, adjusted odds ratio; IOM, Institute of Medicine

Keywords: Adolescent; Sleep; Risk-taking; Cannabis; Alcohol drinking; Suicide; Television; Computers; Motor activity, Teen, Teenager, Sex, Sexual, Child

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