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Children who go to bed by eight o’clock every night have half the risk of becoming obese as a teenager, a US study has found.

First we were told, Children who are given antibiotics under two years old are at risk of ‘being obese by the age of four’.

Then we were told Harsh parenting may increase a child’s risk of developing obesity and may also impact their overall long term health.

Then ground-breaking research revealed grandparents are contributing to childhood obesity. Their tendency to give treats is having long-lasting affects on our children.

With the latest news saying RESEARCH explains why babies born by caesarean section are more likely to be obese as adults.

Today we hear researchers at Ohio State University in the US researched data from nearly 1000 children, with the bedtimes divided into three categories: 8pm or earlier, between 8pm and 9pm and after 9pm.

Researchers then examined the children’s height, weight and body mass index as teenagers, and found that only one in 10 of the children with the earlier bedtimes were obese teens, compared to 16 per cent of children with mid-range bedtimes. More than 20 per cent of the children who went to bed after 9pm were found to be obese.

“Pre-school aged children with early weekday bedtimes were half as likely as those with late bedtimes to become obese as adolescents,” the researchers wrote.

While it’s unclear how exactly children’s bedtimes affect body weight, other studies have found that a lack of sleep is linked to hormones that regulate appetite and metabolism.

Dr Anderson says “for parents this reinforces the importance of establishing a bedtime routine.

Putting a child to bed early doesn’t guarantee the child will fall immediately into a deep sleep, however establishing a consistent bedtime routine makes it more likely that children will get the amount of sleep they need to be at their best, she said.

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  • My kids both had regular bedtimes and neither of them are overweight. I think it’s important for their overall development to get enough sleep

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  • Apparently your body burns fat etc. easily while you are asleep.
    You don’t look for food to eat when you’re asleep. Teens tend to stay up later to do school assignments. I know I did. I wasn’t allowed to watch TV during the week at all. It was off!!! We also tend to forget to drink enough water, even more so when we go to bed later.

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  • I think too little sleeping hours can be linked with obesity indeed.

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  • It’s amazing how having sufficient sleep helps with the outcomes of your life.

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  • Thank you for your detailed explanation Deb.

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  • What this article is explaining is the global research that shows lack of sleep hours affects hormone production (Leptin) that gives the feeling of fullness (satiety). It is produced when sleeping. Low levels of Leptin keeps you feeling hungry. Night shift workers tend to be overweight/obese…see the connection? Poor sleep & reduced sleep in constant sleep debt and increased hunger. Sleep hours are crucial to total well being. Need more advice? Contact me, Deb Herdman. 3R’s to sleep success for baby and toddler. deb@nighnigh.com.au

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  • Really? Sounds like everything can cause childhood obesity

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  • I’m sure this study can easily be challenged.

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  • I agree, I’m a bit confused with this article. Feeding your children the right foods and exercise to me is the most important things!

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  • I struggle to see how going to bed late/early will make you skinny or obese. Isnt weight issues about how many calories you eat versus what you expend???

    Reply

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