Sleep Well, Stay Active: How to Prevent Childhood Obesity
If your child is experiencing the adverse effects of obesity, you are not alone. According to the CDC, an estimated 14.7 million adolescents in the United States between the ages of 2-19 are obese.
Recent studies have revealed a significant connection between childhood obesity and unhealthy sleep patterns. One of these studies given to a group of elementary-aged children found that 71% of participants with a late bedtime were obese or overweight. If your child’s obesity negatively affects their health and well-being, it may be time to look to sleep for a solution.
Unhealthy Habits Linking Sleep and Obesity
The short duration of sleep that adolescents may experience is not the only contributing factor that can lead to obesity. Late bedtimes, inconsistent schedules, the timing of eating, and a lack of exercise can all lead to childhood obesity.
Establishing a personal sleep schedule and bedtime routine are key contributors to maintaining healthy sleep. Keeping up with an early, set bedtime schedule throughout the week, including weekends and school breaks, can help prevent obesity by eliminating erratic sleep timing.
Another unhealthy habit children should avoid is eating late-night meals or snacks shortly before bedtime. The extra calories coming into a child’s body directly from these nighttime foods are stored as fat while they sleep, not allowing them to burn off as easily if eaten during the day.
Stay Active, Stay Healthy
Staying active and getting daily, routine exercise is a great way to live a healthy, balanced lifestyle. Several studies have concluded that those who don’t sleep well are less active throughout the day than those who get sufficient sleep. Experts believe sleep and exercise have a bidirectional relationship in which a consistent exercise routine can help one sleep better and getting a good night’s sleep may increase one’s daily physical activity.
This summer is a perfect time to get your children outside and active, and there are many ways to get exercise. You can encourage your child to go on a walk or bike ride, join a local sports league, or even take a swim at the pool!
Help is Available
In addition to childhood obesity, untreated sleep problems in children and teens can lead to emotional issues, depression and mood disorders, chronic disease, including heart disease, diabetes and more, poor academic and behavioral issues, and ultimately, an impact on the quality of life for your entire family. If you believe your child is not experiencing the benefits of healthy sleep, medical help is available. Speak to your pediatrician or make an appointment with a board-certified sleep medicine doctor.
You don’t have to keep putting up with sleepless nights. At FusionSleep®, we have dedicated our entire medical practice to helping patients as young as two years old get their lives back through healthy sleep. We offer various sleep solutions, in-lab and at-home sleep testing options, and virtual appointments on our established telemedicine platform. Contact us today on our website or by calling 678.990.3962.