Understanding the link between Sleep and Obesity
The DREAM study was a randomized cross-over trial investigating if changing how children sleep affects what and when they eat, how active they are and how they interacted with digital screens.
To measure screen-use in children, the DREAM study asked the participant to wear a camera on their chest for four days of the intervention. This camera took a picture every two seconds. Researchers then manually coded the images to estimate how much screen-use the participants engaged with when they were well rested, compared to when they got less sleep.
The results from the DREAM study found that children appeared to use their screens more when they received less sleep, but only on school days. The children also consuming more energy, especially from poorer food choices and highly processed foods. Interestingly, there was little change in the physical activity patterns of the children.