A new study links obesity in children, with their sleep pattersn.
Dr. Rich O'Neill, psychologist at SUNY Upstate, says the study looked at 4- to 10 year olds, and found that all were significantly sleep deprived (an average 8 hours, instead of the recommended 9.5 to 10 for this age group). And, Obese children had a much more variable sleep pattern on school days, and they slept significantly less on weekends, when normal weight kids were 'catching up' with longer weight times. Blood tests also found kids with irregular sleep patterns and shorter sleep duration had greater risk of healt problems.
The recommendations:
>More sleep time
>Regular sleep schedule, with sleeping in to catch up on weekends
(Dr. O'Neill adds that regular exercise--an hour a day of 'run around' time--helps, too.)
To read the full study: http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/january2411studies.htm
