Tired Children Pile on the Pounds
Dietitian Juliette Kellow reports on studies showing the correlation betweeen sleeping habits and weights of children.
Tired Children Pile On the Pounds
By Dietitian, Juliette Kellow BSc RD
Several studies have found a link between an adult’s weight and the amount of hours they sleep. Now, a new Canadian study has confirmed these findings in children.
Researchers studied the sleeping habits and weights of 422 children aged between five and 10 years. They discovered those who slept for 10 hours or less every night were three and a half times more likely to be overweight than those who had at least 12 hours sleep every night.
Even more surprisingly, the scientists found that a lack of sleep was an even bigger risk factor for overweight and obesity than the amount of time spent in front of the TV or computer.
Angelo Tremblay, who was involved in the study says, “It is ironic that part of the solution to obesity might lie in sleep, the most sedentary of all human activities.
In light of this study’s results, my best prescription against obesity in children would be to encourage them to move more and to make sure they get enough sleep.”
Weight Loss Resources says:
The importance of sleep is often forgotten about when it comes to staying fit and healthy, but this study highlights just how essential it is to ensure that children get enough shut-eye.
Staying up late often goes hand in hand with snacking – usually on sugary and fatty foods and drinks – which may help to explain why fewer hours in bed results in extra inches around the waistline.
Plus tired children are more likely to struggle getting out of bed in the morning and skip breakfast due to a lack of time. This means they’re more likely to overcompensate later in the morning by eating fatty and sugary snacks, which provide more calories than a normal breakfast would have.
Meanwhile, further research has suggested that a lack of sleep may affect the production of two hormones that regulate appetite so that tired children are more likely to feel hungry – and therefore eat. Sleep deprivation appears to be linked to lower levels of the hormone leptin, which reduces hunger, and higher levels of the hormone ghrelin, which makes us feel hungry.
Start a Free Trial Today
Parents can use the diaries, databases and tools in WLR to make sure they are eating healthily. Try it free for 24 hours.
More Information
For more information to help children get a good nights sleep visit the Sleep Council’s website at www.sleepcouncil.com. Click on the ‘Consumer Room’ then ‘Leaflets’ to download a copy of The Good-night Guide for Children, which is full of tips aimed at helping children to get a restful night.
Sam, 29 lost
8½ Stone with
Sam was 19st 12lb, now 12st 6lb
"Going from XXL and 44" waist to M and 32" waist is really, really satisfying."
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Yes… You need to lose weight
Your weight is substantially above your healthy weight range
You have a BMI of - a BMI of 20-25 is considered healthy.
You should lose to be within the healthy weight range for your height. Losing would also be beneficial to your health and could make you look and feel better.
You could lose in weeks with Weight Loss Resources.
Our free trial will show you how…
It takes just 2 minutes to input your details and could well be the breakthrough you've been waiting for!
Start Your Free Trial Today »“(Weight Loss Resources) has truly been the best weight loss assistance I have ever had.”
Rachel (RunningRach) lost 7 stone with Weight Loss Resources
Yes… You need to lose weight
Your weight is significantly above your healthy weight range.
You have a BMI of - a BMI of 20-25 is considered healthy.
You should lose to be within the healthy weight range for your height. Losing would also be beneficial to your health and could make you look and feel better.
You could lose in weeks with Weight Loss Resources.
Our free trial will show you how…
It takes just 2 minutes to input your details and could well be the breakthrough you've been waiting for!
Start Your Free Trial Today »“(Weight Loss Resources) has truly been the best weight loss assistance I have ever had.”
Rachel (RunningRach) lost 7 stone with Weight Loss Resources
Yes… You need to lose weight
Your weight is above your healthy weight range.
You have a BMI of - a BMI of 20-25 is considered healthy.
You should lose to be within the healthy weight range for your height. Losing would also be beneficial to your health and could make you look and feel better.
You could lose in weeks with Weight Loss Resources.
Our free trial will show you how…
It takes just 2 minutes to input your details and could well be the breakthrough you've been waiting for!
Start Your Free Trial Today »“(Weight Loss Resources) was just the resource I wanted!
I signed up for a free trial and bought a 6 month subscription the same day.”
Matt (BeerMatt) has lost 4st 10lb with Weight Loss Resources
Yes… You should lose weight
Your weight is above your healthy weight range.
You have a BMI of - a BMI of 20-25 is considered healthy.
Losing would put you in the middle of the healthy weight range for your height. Losing would be beneficial to your health and could make you look and feel better.
You could lose in weeks with Weight Loss Resources.
Our free trial will show you how…
It takes just 2 minutes to input your details and could well be the breakthrough you've been waiting for!
Start Your Free Trial Today »“The free trial tempted me to try and I've hardly gone a day since without visiting the site!”
Simon (SpyBey) has lost 3 stone with Weight Loss Resources
Maybe… Just a little
Your weight is within your healthy weight range.
You have a BMI of - a BMI of 18.5-25 is categorised as healthy.
However, you could lose up to and remain within your healthy weight range. Losing could make you look and feel better.
You could lose in weeks with Weight Loss Resources.
Our free trial will show you how…
It takes just 2 minutes to input your details and could well be the breakthrough you've been waiting for!
Start Your Free Trial Today »“I took the free trial and that was me, it was fantastic just what I had been looking for.”
Emma (Emsy1981) lost 1st 5lb with Weight Loss Resources
Maybe… maybe not!
Your weight is within your healthy weight range.
You have a BMI of - a BMI of 18.5-25 is categorised as healthy.
However, you could lose up to and remain within your healthy weight range. Losing could make you look and feel better.
You could lose in weeks with Weight Loss Resources.
Our free trial will show you how…
It takes just 2 minutes to input your details and could well be the breakthrough you've been waiting for!
Start Your Free Trial Today »“Once I'd lost my first few pounds I felt fantastic, and my clothes started to fit with a little more ease.”
Emma (Emsy1981) lost 1st 5lb with Weight Loss Resources
No… You don't need to lose weight
Your weight is within your healthy weight range.
You have a BMI of - a BMI of 18.5-25 is categorised as healthy.
You should aim to maintain your current weight by eating a healthy, balanced diet.
You can see how healthy your diet is with Weight Loss Resources
Our free trial will show you how…
It takes just 2 minutes to input your details and could be a real eye-opener!
Start Your Free Trial Today »“Fill in the food diary and analyse what you are putting into your mouth. You can learn a lot about healthy eating this way.”
Maria (EinsteinMC), Weight Loss Resources' member
No… You need to gain weight
Your weight is below your healthy weight range.
You have a BMI of - a BMI of less than 18.5 is categorized underweight.
You should not try to lose any weight, and putting on a few pounds may benefit your health.
You could use Weight Loss Resources to help you gain weight.
Our free trial will show you how…
It takes just 2 minutes to input your details and could be a real eye-opener!
Start Your Free Trial Today »“Blimey, this site has helped put my life back on track… I looked at the weight range for my height and settled on the lowest that was healthy… put the goal as maintaining that weight and off I went!”
Suzi (Whiskas) gained 2½ stone with Weight Loss Resources


