ABSTRACT Objective Overweight seems to be related to a higher prevalence of sleep disturbances. Decreased sleep duration and altered sleep quality are risk factors for obesity. Our aim was to compare the sleep pattern of overweight children with that of a matched control group and assess the relationship between sleep quality and obesity. Materials and methods Retrospective cohort study comparing 41 overweight children with a normal-weight control group, both submitted to polysomnography. The samples were matched for age, sex, and apnea-hypopnea index. Body mass index (BMI) z-scores were calculated using World Health Organization (WHO) growth charts. Insulin resistance in the study group was determined using the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Sleep patterns were compared. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS® version 21. Results The mean age (± standard deviation) of the population was 10 ± 3.4 years (min. 5 years; max. 17 years). Fifty-six percent of the participants in both groups were girls. N3% was lower in the study group (18.95 ± 6.18%) compared with the control group (21.61 ± 7.39%; t (40) = 2.156, p = 0.037). We found a correlation in the study group between HOMA-IR and N3% (Rs = -0.434, p = 0.008). Conclusion The present study suggests a link between overweight/obesity and altered sleep quality due to compromised non-rapid eye movement sleep, an indirect marker of sleep quality. There was also a link between slow-wave sleep duration and insulin resistance. We must find a strategy to provide adequate slow-wave sleep duration to reduce the obesity epidemic at young ages. Further research is needed.

Introdução O projeto «Papa Bem» tem como finalidade promover a literacia em saúde, através da criação e disseminação de materiais escritos e audiovisuais acerca da obesidade infantil e formas de prevenção, desde a conceção até aos 5 anos de idade. Materiais e métodos A elaboração do plano editorial e a produção dos materiais tiveram por base um estudo exploratório, que contou com uma revisão da literatura e com um diagnóstico ecológico e educacional numa área-piloto. Ao longo de todo o processo de produção dos materiais foram consultados peritos nas diversas áreas temáticas. A legibilidade dos materiais produzidos foi testada. Resultados Através do estudo exploratório identificámos os fatores predisponentes, facilitadores e de reforço inerentes a comportamentos relacionados com a obesidade infantil, que nortearam a produção dos materiais. Os materiais produzidos, baseados na mais recente evidência científica, demonstraram ser acessíveis para pessoas com baixos níveis de escolaridade. Conclusão A metodologia participativa utilizada no projeto permitiu-nos compilar informação relevante quanto aos principais pontos críticos para a compreensão e prevenção da obesidade infantil. A elaboração das mensagens, com linguagem simples e organização lógica, adequadas à população, poderá ser facilitadora da mudança comportamental, particularmente se tiver o apoio de mediadores que as adaptem a cada contexto, reforçando a abordagem socioecológica na prevenção da obesidade infantil.

Introduction «Papa Bem» project («Eat Well») aims to promote health literacy through the production and dissemination of written and audiovisual materials concerning childhood obesity prevention. The focus is the period that goes from pregnancy to 5 years of age. Methodology The editorial plan and materials production was based on an exploratory study, which included a literature review and an ecological and educational diagnosis conducted in a pilot area. During the process of production of the materials several experts were consulted. The readability of the materials was tested. Results In the exploratory study, predisposing, enabling and reinforcement factors related to the behaviors associated with child obesity were identified to guide the materials production. Based in the most recent scientific evidence, these materials proved to be accessible to people with lower education levels. Conclusion Through the participatory methodology, it was possible to get relevant information about the main critical issues in understanding and managing the problem of child obesity. The development of simple and logically organized messages may facilitate behavior change, especially with the support of mediators who adapt them to each context, ensuring the continuity of the socio-ecological approach required for controlling child obesity.