Too Little Sleep For Young Children Can Lead To Weight Gain

By Geoff Michaels, April 28th, 2013 | Health | 0 Comments

A study conducted has found that children between the ages of three and five who sleep less than the average 11 hours a night put on extra weight.

The study, which was conducted in New Zealand, discovered that for every hour less than the average that a young child slept, they put on an extra pound and a half by the time they turned seven.

The sleep patterns of a total of 244 children were monitored for the study, using devices called accelerometers, which measure movement. The children wore these devices, which are similar to belts, at the age of three, four and five for five consecutive days and nights.

In addition, information was collected from the parents in regards to the children’s diet and exercise levels, as well as further information about the mother’s income, ethnicity and education. This was so the results of the research could take such information into account.

The researchers, writing in the British Medical Journal online, concluded: “Youngsters who sleep less are more likely to be overweight, with high body fat values, even after adjustment for lifestyle and variables.” They suggest that the lack of sleep leaves more time for snacking, and also affects the hormone levels which can lead to an increase in weight.

They were, however, hesitant to suggest that increasing the sleeping hours of children would reduce obesity. A recommendation by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine is that children of pre-school age should sleep between 11 and 13 hours a night.