Research finds sleep a factor in childhood obesity
Childhood obesity is not only caused by fast food, sugary drinks and lack of exercise, lack of sleep also appears to be an important factor. Researchers made the discovery after adjusting the sleep patterns of 37 children aged eight to 11, more than a quarter of whom were overweight or obese.
When children increased their sleep, they reported consuming an average 134 fewer calories per day and lost half a pound in weight. Tests showed they had lower fasting levels of the hunger-regulating hormone leptin.
“Findings from this study suggest that enhancing school-age children’s sleep at night could have important implications for prevention and treatment of obesity,” said Dr Chantelle Hart, from Temple University in Philadelphia. “The potential role of sleep should be further explored.”The findings are published in the journal Pediatrics.
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