According to a report in the September issue of the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, sleep deprivation among infants and young children is associated with the development of obesity later in life.
The association of sleep deprivation and obesity has been previously demonstrated in adults. This study extended this association to children by examining 1,930 children over a period of five years. Nearly 1/3 of the children were overweight or obese by the time of follow-up.?Young? children who slept less had an increased risk of becoming heavy. Importantly, daytime naps did not seem to be an adequate substitute for insufficient nighttime sleep.
This study adds further evidence to the importance of sleep in maintaining our overall health. As we fight childhood obesity, prioritizing sleep may be an important element.
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