News - National
Obesity tied to lack of nighttime sleep
Posted: Sep 8, 2010 1:30 PM by Bea Karnes, News First 5
Updated: Sep 8, 2010 2:42 PM
Infants and young children who don't get enough nighttime sleep may be at risk for obesity later in life.
Researchers studied the sleep habits of almost 2,000 children in 1997 and then followed up five years later. About a third of the children were overweight or obese -- and a higher BMI was linked to a short duration of nighttime sleep.
Napping had no effect on obesity rates.
Researchers say daytime rest is not an adequate substitute for nighttime sleep.
The study was led by researchers at the University of Washington, Seattle and the University of California, Los Angeles. It was published in the September issue of 'Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.'
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