Insufficient Sleep May Cause Children To Gain Weight!

Overweight or obesity will make one more likely to develop heart disease as well as other medical disorders. Because of this, the medical issues of the increasing numbers of obese children have made medical professionals and governments around the world worry. Ways and means have been proposed and implemented hoping to prevent such epidemic to continue.

It is a common consensus that overweight or obesity among children is mainly due to their unhealthy lifestyle. However, a recent study also revealed that insufficient sleep can negatively affect preteens' metabolism and their exercise and eating habits, causing them to gain weight.

The researchers at the University of Michigan's Centre for Human Growth and Development reported on the November issue of 'Paediatrics,' the journal of the American Academy of Paediatrics, that children aged 9 to 12 who slept less than 9 hours a night were more likely to gain weight than their more rested peers.

Sleep patterns and other data from a government survey of 785 children aged 9 to 12 were analyzed and it was found that 18 percent were overweight by the time they reached the sixth grade. The 12-year-olds, who slept less than nine hours a night, were more likely to be overweight than those who slept more and those who got less sleep at age 9 were more likely to be overweight 3 years later, the study found. The results obtained on the impact of sleeping less were consistent regardless of gender, race, socioeconomic status or quality of the home environment.

Lack of sleep may cause children moody or prevent them from being alert and ready to learn at school. It may also lead them to a higher risk of being overweight because tired children may seek out food when they become irritable or moody. According to the National Sleep Foundation, children in elementary school should get 10 to 12 hours of sleep a night. On the other hand, well-rested children may be more energetic and more likely to go out and play, rather than lying around watching TV.

What is more important deduction from the study is actually the effect sleep has on the secretion of hormones that regulate fat storage, appetite and glucose metabolism. Insufficient sleep can change carbohydrate metabolism and cause impaired glucose tolerance, which can affect weight.

It is hoped that the findings may provide additional support for policies that propose later school start times. As a matter of fact, the very early school start times for US adolescents have raised concerns in the paediatric community since this may have adverse impact on the sleep duration that may subsequently affect the children's general academic and behavioral functioning.

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