Data says that adults who don’t sleep enough are 72% more likely to be obese. Now, a recent study published in the Journal of Sleep Restriction finds that sufficient sleep can benefit health in youngsters, too.
The Test
Researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder tested the relationship between sleeping and eating in ten preschool children. Children followed a strict daytime nap and nighttime sleep schedule for six days. Then they repeated the same schedule for five days, but on the sixth day, they skipped the nap and went to bed late. Throughout this study, the parents kept track of what their children ate.
The Consumption
Compared with normal days, children ate 21% more calories, 25% more sugar, and 26% more carbohydrates on the day they didn’t get enough sleep. Additionally, they consumed 14% more calories and 23% more fat on the day following the lack of sleep.
Though the mechanism is not totally clear, researchers think the connection may have to do with disruptions to the appetite hormones leptin and ghrelin. Leptin is the hormone that tells you when you’re full, while ghrelin is the one that tells you to keep eating. When you are sleep deprived, these hormones get out of whack, and you feel a stronger urge to keep eating. Sometimes, that urge is there to tell you to stay awake.
Habits
Good sleep patterns are essential for everyone. Most experts recommend waking up and going to bed within the same time frame each day, including weekends. Establishing naptime and bedtime routines, such as reading a story or singing a song, can also help your child understand when it is time to rest. His body can begin to relax as his associations form.
As parents, we need healthy bedtime habits. So do our children. These habits can guide them into making healthier decisions as they grow older.
