The Effect of Body Weight on Sleep Quality and Sleep Duration in Adolescents

Aim: The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of body weight on sleep duration and sleep quality in adolescents. Material and Method: This cross-sectional study was performed on 14-17 year old adolescents (n=1072) attending to public and private high schools. In order to determine the sleep quality, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was filled, and sociodemographic data were collected through a questionnaire. Body weight, height, waist and hip circumferences were measured and body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio were calculated. Results: In the least sleeping group (<8 hours/day) for both genders, the body weights were the highest (p<0.05). In boys, the least sleeping group had the highest BMI (p<0.05). The adolescents having good sleep quality had lower body weight and BMI values than the ones having poor sleep quality but the difference is not statistically significant. There was no significant relationship between the sleep quality and age, smoking habits, family types, self-evaluated school success and appetite. Conclusion: Sleep duration may be an important factor for obesity. In order to develop improvements on health; the adolescents, their families and teachers should be informed more on healthy nutrition and healthy sleep.