A recent study reported in the New York Times found that children who do not get enough sleep may increase their risk for obesity.

Researchers recorded sleep times and body mass index of 785 children in third grade and then again in sixth. Children slept an average of 9.45 hours a night in third grade and 8.78 in sixth.

After controlling for sex, race, maternal education, sleep problems like nightmares and other variables, the authors found that for every hour that sleep time declined over the three years, children were about 40 percent more likely to be overweight. An earlier bedtime seemed to have the most positive impact versus a later wake time.

Dr. Julie Lumeng, an assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Michigan and lead author of the study, gave three possible reasons for sleep affecting weight gain:

Children who are grumpy may be more likely to ask for food Children who do not get enough sleep are more likely to be tired the next day and less likely to exercise

A disruption in the hormone leptin, which is associated with fat metabolism and released in the body during the sleep cycle. “A disrupted sleep cycle,” she said, “may interfere with how the body stores calories.”

So, I guess the next time your kids ask to stay up late, you have more than just their shut-eye to worry about!

Tags: Healthy Living //