Association between Sleep Duration, Physical Activity, and Mental Health Disorders: A Secondary Analysis of the National Survey of Children's Health 2017-2018

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this article was to examine the association of sleep duration and physical activity and their interactions on mental health disorders in American children aged 6-17 years. METHODS: Data were analyzed from the combined 2017-2018 National Survey of Children's health. Ultimately, a total of 36370 children aged 6-17 years were selected as the samples. Weighted logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Insufficient sleep duration was associated with an increased risk for current anxiety, depression, and behavior/conduct problems (odds ratio = 1.449, 1.991, 1.375; 95% confidence interval: 1.313-1.702, 1.648-2.406, 1.162-1.627). Insufficient physical activity was associated with an increased risk for current anxiety (odds ratio = 1.448; 95% confidence interval: 1.230-1.706) and depression (odds ratio = 1.743; 95% confidence interval: 1.304-2.329). In addition, additive interactions between sleep duration and physical activity were observed on current anxiety and depression. CONCLUSIONS: Insufficient sleep duration and insufficient physical activity in children were associated with mental health disorders. There is a synergistic interaction effect between insufficient sleep duration and insufficient physical activity on current anxiety and current depression.