The effect of eating behaviors and sleeping habits of children aged 6-12 on obesity

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of eating behaviors and sleeping habits of children aged 6-12 years on obesity. Material and Metod: The data required for the research were collected online between 21 May 2022 and 15 July 2022. The study group of the research consisted of children aged 6-12 years. In data collection, online survey method, socio-demographic data collection form, three-factor eating scale, child sleep habits questionnaire (CHA) were used from 220 children aged 6-12 years who had parental consent, participated voluntarily, and were selected by convenience sampling method, one of the improbable sampling methods. SPSS 26.0 data analysis program was used in the statistical analysis of the data obtained in the study, and t-test and one-way Anova test and regression were used to examine the effects of children's eating behaviors and sleeping habits on obesity. Result: In the study, it was revealed that children's sleep habits and uncontrolled eating, cognitive restriction, emotional eating behaviors were similar to each other according to age groups, gender, education level, night sleep interval, total sleeping time. It has been stated that children are at risk of obesity depending on the degree of eating behavior and sleeping habits of children. Conclusion: It is recommended to conduct studies on the effects of eating behaviors and sleeping habits of children aged 6-12 on obesity.