Children who are sleep deprived more likely to be overweight

Carter P. BMJ. 2011;342:d2712.

Sleep deprivation played a bigger role in contributing to childhood obesity than other lifestyle factors such as diet, according to a study published online.

Barry J. Taylor, MBCHB, and colleagues identified 244 children who were taking part in the Family Lifestyle, Activity, Movement and Eating (FLAME) study in Dunedin, New Zealand. They measured each child’s weight, height, BMI and body composition every 6 months from 3 to 7 years of age. The researchers also logged the children’s sleep habits, physical activity levels and dietary intake by questionnaire at 3, 4 and 5 years.

The data demonstrated that young children who slept less were at a significantly increased risk of having a higher BMI by age 7 years, even after controlling for other risk factors that have been implicated in body weight regulation. Each additional hour of sleep per night at age 3 to 5 years was associated with a reduction in BMI of 0.49 and a 61% reduction in the risk of being overweight or obese at age 7 years, the researchers said.

They said reduced sleep may increase dietary intake and may also influence energy expenditure, leading to reduced exercise.

In an accompanying editorial, Francesco Cappuccio, MD, of the University of Warwick, in the United Kingdom, urged future research to explore new behavioral methods to prolong children and adult sleeping time. He said it may be advisable to urge the general public that a sustained curtailment of sleeping time may contribute to long-term ill health in both adults and children.

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