Mon, Nov-03-08, 06:24
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Senior Member
Posts: 997
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Plan: high fat paleo
Stats: 238/215/165
BF:yes
Progress: 32%
Location: UK
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Sleep may stave off obesity: NZ study
Quote:
Sleep may stave off obesity: NZ study
Children who spend less time sleeping are more likely to be obese as adults, a New Zealand study has found.
Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study at the University of Otago followed more than 1000 children born in Dunedin between 1972 and 1973.
Its latest research published in the United States journal Pediatrics showed children aged between five and 11 who spent less time in bed had higher Body Mass Indexes as adults and were significantly more likely to be obese.
Lead author of the study Erik Landhuis said the importance of getting a good night's sleep was well known, but this was the first study to show potential implications for adult obesity from lack of sleep during childhood.
"It is not clear why lack of sleep might lead to weight gain, but experimental studies have shown that sleep deprivation may disrupt the hormones that regulate appetite.
"It has also been suggested that tired kids may simply have less energy and are therefore less active."
Worldwide trends showed a significant reduction in children's sleep times over the last 30 years, with children going to bed two hours later than 20 years ago, Mr Landhuis said.
"This decrease in average sleep duration has coincided with increasing rates of adult obesity.
"Our findings indicate that ensuring adequate sleep time in childhood may play an important part in the prevention of adult obesity."
Researchers documented participants' time in bed every two years between ages five and 11 and measured body weight at age 32.
They ruled out early signs of obesity such as socioeconomic factors, parental control, television watching, and a parental history of obesity as possible explanations for the results.
The study was written by Mr Landhuis, Professor Richie Poulton, Dr David Welch and Associate Professor Bob Hancox.
It was funded by the Health Research Council of New Zealand.
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http://news.theage.com.au/world/sle...81103-5gsv.html |
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