Sleep deprivation could be contributing to obesity among children, according to research presented to the Paediatric Academic Society in the US.

Results from a study by the Seattle Children’s Research Institute point to a lack of sleep being linked to a higher body mass index (BMI) which is one of the markers of obesity.

The study involved 723 pre-adolescent children (sometimes referred to as ‘tweens’) and teenagers. Each child was measured for movements and assessed sleep patterns and their calorie intake.

Measurements were taken using an accelerometer to determine activity levels and questions were asked about what the children ate and drank. The children were also asked about levels of sleep during weekdays and at the weekend.

Results found that boys attending middle school had the highest BMI related to sleep deprivation followed by boy in high school. For girls, a high BMI was linked to lack of sleep at the weekends.

“Sleep has long been recognized as an important health behaviour,” said lead researcher Leslie Lytle.

“We are just beginning to recognize its relationship to overweight and obesity in children and adults alike.”

A 2008 study by the National Centre for Health Statistics found that 33 per cent of people who had less than six hours of sleep per night were obese while those who slept for seven to eight hours on a regular basis were thinnest.

Trouble sleeping may be down to common sleep disorders such as sleep apnoea or be a sign of anxiety, stress or depression. There are many natural therapies which can help with these conditions but in the first instance you should seek a diagnosis from your GP.

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