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Childhood Obesity Linked to Lack of Sleep

Kids who get more sleep aren’t only better rested than their peers, they also have a better chance of coming in at a healthier weight.
A study of third graders (now sixth graders) showed a link to the amount of sleep a child gets and how much they weigh. The mission of the study was to “’test the independent associations of sleep duration and problems with overweight risk in children.’” The children were first interviewed in third grade, and three years later with the kids in sixth grade, the study results show that 18% of them are now overweight. Previous studies have proved that loss of sleep can affect more than just energy levels. It can also affect mood, hormones, and other body functions that regulate weight.
The results showed that “each additional hour of sleep that a child got (in sixth grade) each night related to a 20% less chance of becoming obese. In fact, the relationship was more noticeable in third grade, when an extra hour of sleep meant that the child had a 40% less chance of becoming obese three years later.”
What does this mean for your kids? Keep up with how much sleep they’re getting each night, and make sure it’s close to the 9-10 hours recommended by sleep doctors. Well-rested kids are also more alert in class and will perform better in their schoolwork and in extra curricular activities.
If you need an easy way to keep up with their sleep, check out our Sleep Journal link on our home page. Make it a fun family affair to track sleep and ensure adequate rest for all family members!
This article is a summary adaptation of “Fat kids may need more sleep” by William Atkins, original article located on ItWire.com at: http://www.itwire.com.au/content/view/15436/1075/
The article (“Shorter Sleep Duration Is Associated With Increased Risk for Being Overweight at Ages 9 to 12 Years”) stating the researchers’ conclusions is published in the November 5, 2007 issue of the journal Pediatrics (volume 120, issue 5).
Co-authors of the study include: Deepak Somashekar, Niko Kaciroti, Danielle Appugliese, Robert F. Corwyn, and Robert H. Bradley.