El empleo maternal, horas de sueño y sobrepeso infantil

Resumen

Introduction: Maternal employment and its relation to child overweight is a matter for debate. Some research have emphasized that this relationship is observed when the labour activity of the mother entails a reduction of the hours of sleep of the child. Method: In this study, a multiple linear regression model was developed using the stepwise method where the criterion variable was the Body Mass Index (BMI) and the predictor variables were the variable mother with remunerated job, daily sleep minutes and interaction between both variables. The study involved 291 children whose BMI was calculated and from whom information about the mother’s sleep time and work activity was also obtained through their parents. Results: Both maternal employment and daily sleep minutes were found to be statistically significant (p <.05) and both predicted lower BMI. The interaction between these predictors was not found to be statistically significant (p> 05). Conclusion: These data allow to conclude, on the one hand, that both maternal employment and a longer daily sleep time are associated with a lower BMI. The role of working hours in this relationship is discussed.