Childhood less Sleep Time May Lead to Obesity

Children who do not get enough sleep at night are more likely to become obese, according to researchers in New Zealand.

A study published in the BMJ site, followed 244 children aged three to seven years.

T said the more sleep was associated with lower weight, which could have important implications for public health.

British experts said there was "no harm" by drawing attention to the link between sleep and reducing ill health.

Children were seen every six months when their weight, height and body fat were measured. Their sleep habits and physical-activity levels were recorded at the age of three, four and five.

The researchers found that children who had less sleep in their early years were more likely to have a body mass index higher at the age of seven.

This relationship continued even when other risk factors such as gender and physical activity were taken into account in their research.

"Health Risk"

Reasons cited for the link include simply have more time to eat and changes in hormones that affect appetite.

In an analysis accompanying the teachers Francesco Cappuccio and Michelle Miller of the University of Warwick, said future research should explore and validate new behavior, non-drug based methods to extend for Children and Adults time sleeping.

"Meanwhile, it would not hurt to advise people that a sustained compression of sleep time could contribute to long-term ill health in adults and children."

Dr Ian Maconochie, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said: "Children under five usually average at least 11 hours of sleep at night and daytime naps.

"However, 20% of children this age sleep problems, and we already know that sleep deprivation has a significant impact on attention, memory, and behavior and school performance. This document is a useful addition to our understanding of the sleep habits of children. "