Researchers at the University of Michigan have found a surprising correlation between sleep and weight. The study looked at the weight, height and sleep patterns of 785 children in 10 U.S. cities.
"Of the children who slept 10-12 hours each night at age eight, about 12% were obese by 11, compared to 22% of those who slept less than nine hours."
The study also found that, in third graders, every additional hour of sleep resulted in a 40% drop in their chance of becoming obese. Though the results of the study were undeniable, researchers are unsure why sleep plays such a profound role in weight gain among children.
Labels: causes of childhood obesity, sleep