The association between melatonin-containing food consumption and sleep/meal timing and behavior in children with language difficulties

The purpose of this study was to investigate the sleep characteristics, circadian rhythms, behavior, and postnatal development of children with and without language difficulties (LDs) and the association of these variables with melatonin-containing food (FMT) consumption. The study involved parents who anonymously and voluntarily provided their children's personal data and assessed LDs, bedtime, meal timing, behavioral problems, gross motor skill development, and FMT consumption. Multiple regression analysis was used to analyze the associations between study variables. A total of 587 children were examined, with mean age <i>M</i> (<i>SD</i>) 5.5 (2.4) years, (range: 2-12 years), and 44.2% were boys. Children with LD had delayed sleep onset (<i>β</i> = 0.09; <i>R</i>² = 0.007), increased sleep latency (<i>β</i> = 0.11; <i>R</i>² = 0.014), social jetlag (<i>β</i> = 0.10; <i>R</i>² = 0.009), screen time (<i>β</i> = 0.14; <i>R</i>² = 0.022), and behavioral problems (<i>β</i> = 0.13-0.35; <i>R</i>² = 0.016-0.142); decreased gestational age at birth (<i>β</i> = -0.09; <i>R</i>² = 0.007), and delayed development of gross motor skills in the postpartum period (<i>β</i> = 0.11-0.21; <i>R</i>² = 0.012-0.064). The children's average FMT consumption was 2087.6 ± 2401.3 ng/d. Children with the highest FMT consumption had lower rates of LDs (<i>β</i> = -0.11; <i>R</i>² = 0.010), social jetlag (<i>β</i> = -0.08; <i>R</i>² = 0.007), and eating jetlag (<i>β</i> = -0.12; <i>R</i>² = 0.013); fever behavioral problems (<i>β</i> = -0.09 - -0.10; <i>R</i>² = 0.007-0.057); and less delayed eating phase (<i>β</i> = -0.11; <i>R</i>² = 0.012), and development of gross motor skills in the postpartum period (<i>β</i> = -0.10 - -0.12; <i>R</i>² = 0.009-0.014). In summary, LDs in children were associated with higher rates of circadian misalignment, sleep, behavioral, and developmental dysfunctions, and higher FMT consumption was associated with lower rates of circadian misalignment, behavioral, and developmental dysfunctions. The data obtained indicate the need for a detailed study of the state of the circadian system in preschool and primary school children with language difficulties, which will serve as a rationale for the use of chronotherapy principles for the treatment of this neurological dysfunction.