Screens in the sleep environment in relations to duration of sleep and restfulness among youth

Back ground: Relation between inadequate sleep and health outcomes among youth require identifying its modifiable determinants. Television has been associated with reduced sleep time, but our knowledge about small screens influence is restricted. Objectives Therefore, we analyzed the association of different screens in sleep environments with duration of sleep & perception of insufficient sleep or rest. Materials & Methods: There were 892 participants constituting students from Private & Government Schools along with Government & Private Colleges in Kashmir valley in India in the year 2015. Using linear & logistic regressions, we examined cross sectional associations of small-screens & TVs in sleep environments and screen time with weekday sleep duration and perceived insufficient sleep or rest in the past week. Results: People who slept near a small screen (compared with never) reported 97.8 minutes lesser sleep (95% confidence interval (CI), -113.9 to -81.7) and a higher prevalence of perceived insufficient rest or sleep (prevalence ratio, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.53 to 3.31). People who slept in a room with a TV (compared with no TV) reported 17.6 fewer minutes of sleep (95% CI, -33.9 to -1.3).Use of small screens and playing with video or computer games were associated with both sleep outcomes (P < .05). Conclusions: Sleeping near a small screen, sleeping with a TV in the room, and more screen time with computer/video games playing was associated with shorter sleep durations. Presence of small screen in the sleep environment was also associated with perceived insufficient rest or sleep. Our findings warn us against unrestricted screen access in student`s bedrooms along with excessive playing of computer/video games.