Modifiable behavioral risk factors for NCDs and sleep in Brazilian adolescents

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To analyze the association between modifiable behavioral risk factors for non-communicable diseases and sleep parameters in Brazilian adolescents. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study that used data from the RPS Cohort Consortium, São Luís, Brazil for the follow-up of adolescents aged 18–19 years (n = 2,515). The outcomes were excessive daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale – ESS) and sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index – PSQI). The exposures of interest were the behavioral risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs): screen time, physical inactivity, alcohol, smoking, illicit drugs, caffeine intake, and consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages. Excess weight was considered a possible mediator of this association between the exposures of interest and the outcomes. The models were analyzed by modeling with structural equations. RESULTS Physical inactivity (standardized coefficient, SC = 0.112; p = 0.001), higher consumption of alcohol (SC = 0.168; p = 0.019) and of sugar-sweetened beverages (SC = 0.128; p < 0.001) were associated with excessive daytime sleepiness in adolescents; better socioeconomic status was also associated with this outcome (SC = 0.128; p < 0.001). Physical inactivity (SC = 0.147; p < 0.001) and higher consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SC = 0.089; p = 0.003) were also associated with poor sleep quality. Overweight was neither a mediator nor associated with sleep quality or excessive daytime sleepiness. CONCLUSIONS The main modifiable behavioral risk factors for NCDs are associated with worse sleep parameters already in adolescence, which serves as a warning toward the accumulation of risks for sleep disorders in the future.