Studies Link Kids' Sleep Loss to Overweight, Depression
I'll admit, the question of "Are the kids getting enough sleep?" doesn't get asked nearly as much in my house as "Is mom getting enough sleep?" to which the answer is "Ha ha ha! No."
There's a pretty clear connection between my level of exhaustion and the overall mood of the household, but now a Reuters report points up some new studies that strengthen the connection between lack of sleep in children and health and mental-health problems.
One study showed that even at a very young age, lack of adequate sleep can lead to obesity. Children who slept less than twelve hours a day at age one and two were found more likely to be overweight at age three.
Another study found that children and teenagers who did not get sufficient shut-eye struggled with anxiety, aggression and depression as adults. And a third found that 73 percent of children with ADHD have sleep problems, and that these sleepyheads "were more likely to have poorer quality of life and daily functioning, as well as poorer school attendance" than their ADHD counterparts who slept soundly.
The article tags the usual suspects in sleep disruptions -- television, computers, and video games. Personally, I'd add to that list insanely early school starting times, which make it tough for kids (teens especially) to get the large amount of sleep recommended, with even a reasonable amount of homework and extracurricular activities.
If sleep's an issue in your house, check out these two selections from the Harried Parent's Book Club that offer strategies and rationales for making sleep a priority:
Cover image courtesy of Pricegrabber. Compare prices for "Sleepless in America."
I was the parent that listed a question fairly recent about “sleep vs no sleep issues”. I can honesly say the lack of sleep in this house has not put an ounce on my son. I on the other hand have probably eaten more to stay awake than anything else. So if anyone has put on weight it would be me
But you’re right, no one asks if mom gets enough sleep. I’ve spent the last 2 days home from work again because my son thinks when he wakes up in the middle of the night it’s time to get up.
Maybe it has something to do with the Coritical Vision Impairment and he gets his nights & days confused. But I’m getting exhausted…that’s what I know.