Short sleep duration is significantly associated with obesity in children and adolescents, with a combined odds ratio of 1.25 (95% CI: 1.12, 1.42), with adolescents showing a slightly stronger association than younger children.
Key Findings
Results
Short sleep duration was significantly associated with obesity in children and adolescents combined, with a combined odds ratio of 1.25.
Combined odds ratio (OR) of 1.25 (95% CI: 1.12, 1.42)
Meta-analysis included 10 studies selected from an initial pool of 1116 identified articles
17 articles were systematically reviewed before 10 were included in the meta-analysis
Articles were published between 2010 and 2024 and sourced from PubMed, Proquest, Google Scholar, EBSCO, and Web of Science
Data analysis was conducted using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) software
Results
In children aged 6-12 years, short sleep duration was associated with increased odds of obesity with a combined OR of 1.20.
Combined OR for children aged 6-12 years was 1.20 (95% CI: 1.08-1.42)
This subgroup result was similar to the overall combined OR of 1.25
Finding derived from subgroup analysis by age group
Results
In adolescents aged 13-18 years, short sleep duration was associated with increased odds of obesity with a combined OR of 1.38.
Combined OR for adolescents aged 13-18 years was 1.38 (95% CI: 1.18-1.63)
The association was slightly stronger in adolescents than in children aged 6-12 years (OR 1.20)
Finding derived from subgroup analysis by age group
Result described as similar to the combined OR across both age groups
Results
Subgroup analysis by age group demonstrated results similar to the overall combined odds ratio for the full sample.
Overall combined OR was 1.25 (95% CI: 1.12, 1.42)
Children aged 6-12 years OR was 1.20 (95% CI: 1.08-1.42)
Adolescents aged 13-18 years OR was 1.38 (95% CI: 1.18-1.63)
The authors described subgroup results as 'similar results to the combined OR'
Conclusions
The authors recommend improving sleep quality and promoting healthy eating habits as strategies to reduce obesity risk in children and adolescents.
Authors state that 'improving sleep quality and promoting healthy eating habits among children and adolescents may reduce the risk of obesity'
Further training programs, interventions, and research are recommended
Recommendation is based on findings showing a consistent positive association between short sleep duration and obesity across age subgroups
What This Means
This research suggests that children and adolescents who sleep less than recommended amounts are more likely to be obese. Researchers analyzed data from 10 studies published between 2010 and 2024, covering children aged 6 to 18 years. They found that short sleep duration was associated with about a 25% higher chance of obesity overall, meaning children who slept less were 1.25 times more likely to be obese compared to those who slept longer.
When the researchers looked at younger children (ages 6-12) and adolescents (ages 13-18) separately, both groups showed a similar pattern. Adolescents had a slightly stronger association (1.38 times higher odds) compared to younger children (1.20 times higher odds), though both were statistically significant. This suggests the link between short sleep and obesity is present across the full school-age and teenage years.
This research suggests that getting enough sleep could be an important factor in preventing obesity in young people, alongside healthy eating habits. The authors recommend developing training programs and interventions that address sleep as part of broader efforts to reduce childhood and adolescent obesity. However, since this is an observational meta-analysis, it cannot confirm that short sleep directly causes obesity — other factors may also be involved.
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Hayli &, Chung S, Avci M, Kösem D. (2026). Relationship Between Sleep Duration and Obesity in Children Aged 6-12 Years and Adolescents Aged 13-18 Years: A Meta-Analysis.. Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias. https://doi.org/10.1590/0001-3765202620260077