Geocultural differences in preschooler sleep profiles and family practices: an analysis of pooled data from 37 countries

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To examine (1) multidimensional sleep profiles in preschoolers (3-6 years) across geocultural regions and (2) differences in sleep characteristics and family practices between Majority World regions (Pacific Islands, Sub-Saharan Africa, Eastern Europe, Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, and Latin America) and the Minority World (the Western world). METHODS: Participants were 3507 preschoolers from 37 countries. Nighttime sleep characteristics and nap duration (accelerometer: n = 1950) and family practices (parental questionnaire) were measured. Mixed models were used to estimate the marginal means of sleep characteristics by region and examine the differences. RESULTS: Geocultural region explained up to 30% of variance in sleep characteristics. A pattern of short nighttime sleep duration, low sleep…