Not getting enough sleep can cause a child to gain weight and put them at greater risk of being overweight later in life, according to a new study from the University of Michigan’s Center for Human Growth and Development. Researchers found that 12-year-olds who slept less than 9 hours per night were more likely to be overweight than children who slept more. Also, 9-year-olds who got less sleep were much more likely to be overweight 3 years later.
Experts believe that a lack of sleep may cause weight gain due to a variety of reasons, including:
- tired children have less energy and are less likely to play/exercise during the day than well-rested kids
- children may be more likely to eat larger amounts of junk food when they become irritable or “moody” due to a lack of sleep
- in children, a lack of sleep can have a strong effect on the production of important hormones that affect fat storage, appetite levels, and glucose metabolism (just as has been shown in adults)
According to the National Sleep Foundation, young children in elementary school should be getting 10 to 12 hours of quality sleep per night.
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I hate studies like this, they are’nt thorough enough. You gain weight because you eat too much and exercise too little, sleep has nothing to do with it.
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hi guys