Sleep deprived children become irritable. They have trouble concentrating and therefore become less efficient at school. They may also suffer from behavioral problems. Another thing that lack of sleep causes is childhood obesity, and an obese child is liable to continue to suffer with a weight problem throughout life.
One thing that's depriving our children of sleep is television. For a three-year-old, more than eight hours a week watching TV, or less than 10-1/2 hours sleep may cause a risk of weight gain.
Of course, other factors may also be involved. If one or both parents are obese, it could be an inherited trait that begins as early as when the child is in the womb. Other factors include high birth weight, rapid weight gain and early body fat.
Overweight children have a higher risk of suffering from type 2 diabetes. These children grow up to be obese adults and run the risk of heart disease, stroke, sleep apnea and some types of cancer.
If this trend continues, the future looks grim for coming generations. Already obesity in America has reached epidemic proportions, the result of fast food franchises and the new trend to "super-size" portions. Other causes are a more sedentary lifestyle with modern conveniences, television and computers, and a lifestyle that often robs people of the necessary hours of sleep.
It's time we try to stop this trend. Early lifestyle changes are in order. Things like fewer hours in front of the television and more hours sleeping could reduce the risk of childhood obesity. Other things that help are a healthy diet and ample exercise.
To change the lifestyle of children, it's necessary for parents, teachers and other role models to set a good example. Adults should join the children and watch less TV, get more sleep, eat a healthy diet and begin an exercise regime.
This article is based on a study done by researchers John J Reilly, Julie Armstrong, Ahmad R Dorosty, Pauline M Emmett, A Ness, I Rogers, Colin Steer, Andrea Sherriff, for the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children Study Team and appeared in the British Medical Journal May 20, 2005.
