According to WebMD, new research presented at the annual meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies in Vancouver, British Columbia also shows that inadequate sleep, particularly for boys, is a risk factor for childhood obesity.
The study, which included data from 723 adolescents with a mean age of 14.7, measured how long participants slept on weeknights and weekends, frequency of sleep problems and foods and beverages they consumed. Accelerometers were used to track activity levels in participants.
Results indicate that shorter sleep duration is associated with higher body mass index (BMI) and percentage of body fat. The relationship between insufficient sleep was especially prevalent in boys in middle school, compared to high school students. In girls, only less sleep on weekends was associated with a higher BMI.
Sleep deprivation is associated with many problems in children. Those who do not obtain the amount of sleep they need each night are at increased risk for developing cognitive, behavioral and mood problems. School performance may also suffer if your child is not getting enough sleep.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that infants (children between the ages 3 to 11 months) sleep for 14 to 15 hours per night, toddlers for 12 to 14 hours, preschoolers for 11 to 13 hours and school-age children for 10 to 11 hours per night.
Parents can help their kids get enough sleep by following a consistent bedtime routine, setting aside “wind down” time before bed and keeping technology such as computers, video games and televisions out of the child’s bedroom.
While many parents have a hard time getting their children to go to sleep at night, children who consistently suffer from sleep problems may be suffering from a sleep disorder and may benefit from a consultation with a sleep specialist.
