News October
Rising Childhood Obesity Linked to Lack of Sleep
Dr Shahrad Taheri said children and adolescents are getting fewer
hours of sleep than they used to, affecting the levels of hormones
that control appetite and energy expenditure.
The research at Bristol University blamed the shorter sleep periods
among youngsters on increased use of televisions, mobile phones
and computers.
Research suggests that most TV viewing by children happens near
bedtime and can disrupt sleep, said the doctor.
Writing in the Archives of Disease in Childhood from the British
Medical Journal, Dr Taheri said removing electronic gadgets from
children's bedrooms could be part of a strategy to tackle obesity.
"Sleep is probably not the only answer to the obesity pandemic,
but its effect should be taken seriously, as even small changes
in energy balance are beneficial," he said.
Dr Taheri said studies have indicated that sleep loss could disturb
the production of hormones that control the desire for calorie-rich
foods, hunger and energy expenditure.
Lack of sleep also leads to lethargy during the daytime, deterring
exercise and contributing to obesity.
The link between obesity and sleep deprivation appears to be particularly
strong in children and young people, Dr Taheri said.
Source http://news.scotsman.com/
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