Sleep, a factor in youth obesity
If obesity is very present among adolescents and adults, it is also present among young children. Indeed, a large number of children aged 5 to 6 years are affected by this disease, caused by different factors. In France, 3% of children were overweight in 1965, a figure that is now 16%.
Sleep: a new factor
Many factors related to obesity, whether diet, lack of physical activity, relationships or psychological problems, can lead to obesity. These factors are also valid for children aged 5 to 6 years.
However, a factor that had hitherto rarely been taken into account, has now been studied precisely via a study(1) carried out by scientists in the United States: sleep.
Indeed, when sleep is lacking or irregular, then it would constitute a relative risk of obesity for young children but also for adolescents.
Breathing problems
In addition, researchers have highlighted the possibility of possible obesity related to certain respiratory problems such as wheezing, snoring and sleep apnea.
Indeed, these symptoms identified in children seem to influence the risk of obesity. For a child with significant sleep-disordered breathing at the age of 5 to 6 years, the risk of obesity risesfrom 60% to 80% when the latter is 15 years old.
What the study highlighted
According to the study carried out by the New York researchers, among an audience of children and adolescents aged 0 to 15 years, it seems that children with significant respiratory problems during their sleep hours would develop a risk of obesity 2 times higher than other children.
The study also found that children witha sleep cycle of less than 10 hours per nightmay develop an estimated 60% to 100% risk of obesity when they reach the age of 15.
Finally, the study showed the importance of sleep in the context of child development and the consequences of sleep disorders for young children, in order to warn parents, doctors and specialistsof theharmful effects of sleep disorders.
Stephen Paul is the lead author and founder of My Health Sponsor. Holder of a diploma in health and well-being coaching with more than 200 articles in the field of health, he makes it a point of honor to offer advice based on reliable information, based on scientific research, and verified by health professionals.