Capitol News

Researchers at Michigan State University have published a study highlighting differences in sleep patterns among children from various racial and ethnic backgrounds. The study, led by Associate Professor Yijie Wang from the Department of Human Development and Family Studies, appears in JAMA Network Open. It explores how social and contextual factors contribute to these variations.

Using data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study, one of the largest studies on children's brain development in the U.S., Wang's team analyzed information from 3,868 children across diverse racial and ethnic groups. "The use of a large, national dataset enhances the generalizability of the findings, providing valuable insights into pediatric sleep health across the U.S. population," Wang said.

The research found that Asian, Black, Latinx, and multiracial children experienced more variability in their sleep patterns compared to non-Hispanic white children. These groups not only slept less and went to bed later but also showed greater inconsistency in their bedtime and wake-up times.

The study underscores the importance of indicators like sleep duration and efficiency for children's health and development. It aims to promote sleep health equity among diverse groups. "It’s important to note that these racial and ethnic differences are not simply a matter of individual behaviors or choices," Wang stated. She emphasized that structural racism, neighborhood environments, and access to healthcare play significant roles.

Wang's research addresses gaps left by previous studies which focused mainly on average sleep pattern differences between Black and white children. Her work includes other often-overlooked groups such as Latinx, Asian, and multiracial children.

Actigraphy was used to collect nuanced data over three weeks by tracking children's sleep through wrist-worn devices measuring movement and heart rate. This method allowed for an objective assessment of various sleep dimensions including duration and variability.

"For families and communities, the message is that sleep isn’t just individual behaviors," Wang noted. She highlighted structural issues like limited healthcare access as contributing factors to these disparities.

The study calls for collaboration among educators, policymakers, and healthcare professionals to address systemic inequities affecting children's sleep quality so every child can achieve restful sleep necessary for future success.