Parental Perception of Children Sleep Pattern Changes During FIFA 2022

IntroductionThe circadian clock is an internal, [~]24-hour biological timer that synchronizes physiology with the day-night cycle. Social jetlag (SJL) describes the misalignment between this internal clock and social schedules, a condition affecting approximately 70% of the population and linked to a spectrum of metabolic, mental, and cognitive health issues. This study examined how the 2022 FIFA World Cup disrupted normal childrens sleep routines and other associated factors from parents prospect. MethodsAn online, cross-sectional survey was distributed to parents (N=848). The questionnaire collected sociodemographic data, childrens habitual sleep habits, and changes perceived during the 2022 FIFA World Cup. SJL was defined as a [&ge;]1-hour delay in bedtime on weekends versus weekdays. Multivariable logistic regression analyses identified factors associated with perceived sleep changes and SJL. ResultsOver half (53.4%) of the children exhibited pre-existing weekend SJL. Children aged 5-11 (OR=1.847, p<0.001), higher socioeconomic status (OR=1.383, p<0.001), international residency (OR=2.845, p<0.001) were significant predictors of baseline weekend SJL. During the tournament, 33% and 17.8% of parents reported their children had delayed sleep ([&ge;]1 hour) on weekdays and weekends due to match watching, respectively. Regression analysis revealed that these parental perceived FIFA impact on their children sleep was significantly associated with weekdays SJL OR= 1.958, p=0.001 and weekends OR= 1.784, p=0.009 during the FIFIA season. DiscussionOur findings indicate that major social events can exacerbate circadian misalignment and SJL, likely driven by social conformation. The high prevalence of baseline SL confirms it is a widespread pediatric health issue. The vulnerability of the 5-11 age group shows SJL is not exclusively an adolescent problem. ConclusionMajor sporting events significantly disrupt childrens sleep schedules, compounding the public health issue of chronic SJL. Proactive guidance for families is needed during such events. More importantly, these findings underscore the urgent need for structural changes to align social schedules with pediatric circadian biology.