It seems that Sleep can make children fatter!
A team of researchers in New Zealand set out to investigate whether reduced sleep is associated with differences in body composition and the risk of becoming overweight in young children. The study was reported in the British Medical Journal.
They found that on average, children aged three to five sleep 11 hours a night, but for every hour they sleep less than that between the ages of three and five, they will be carrying an extra pound and a half of fat by their seventh birthday.
The results show that young children who sleep less are at a significantly increased risk of having a higher BMI by age 7, even after controlling for other risk factors that have been implicated in body weight gain.
According to the researchers, the reduced sleep may increase their food intake and may also make them exercise less.
So it is important for parents to ensure that growing children get enough sleep and adequate exercise.
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