The aims of this study are to a) describe the prevalence and characteristics of eating in the absence of hunger (EAH) in rural preadolescent children using a novel methodology, ecological momentary assessment (EMA); b) to examine the within-person temporal relationship between daily changes in sleep health (i.e., duration and quality) and EAH; and c) examine associations between family, child, and environmental characteristics, sleep, and eating behaviors in rural preadolescent children. Parent-child dyads will participate in the study via remote data collection methods including Zoom interviews, online surveys, EMA survey completed by smartphone, and actigraphy.
The goal of this study is to learn about how children's sleep is related to their eating behaviors the next day, and to learn about factors that relate to eating behaviors and sleep health that are specific to preadolescent children living in rural communities.