Effects of Screen Viewing Time on Sleep Duration and Bedtime in Children Aged 1 and 3 Years: Japan Environment and Children’s Study

This study aimed to clarify the effects of television/digital versatile disc (TV/DVD) viewing time and portable electronic device (PED) usage time on sleep duration and bedtime and the difference between the effects of TV/DVD and PED on sleep. The effect of TV/DVD viewing time or PED usage time on sleep duration and bedtime was analyzed using a multiple logistic regression analysis adjusted for covariates. A total of 74,525 participants were included in the analysis, using data from Japan Environment and Children’s Study. TV/DVD viewing was not associated with short sleep duration, but PED usage was associated with short sleep duration. In addition, the risk of short sleep duration increased as PED usage time increased. We also investigated the effects of sleep habits at age 1 year on sleep at age 3 years. This study showed that late bedtime at age 1 year posed a significant risk of late bedtime at age 3 years. In summary, particular caution should be paid to PED use from a child’s health perspective, and sleep habits should be focused on bedtime from the age of 1 year.