With 14,787 of 629,359 Reception-aged children in England and Wales now classed as severely obese, worries about young people’s weight are ever-increasing. Now, research claims, children who get less than the recommended amount of sleep for their age are at higher risk of developing obesity.
Academics at the University of Warwick found that children who sleep less regularly gain more weight when they get older and are more likely to become overweight or obese.
The paper, published in the journal Sleep, followed 75,499 children aged from birth to 18 for an average period of three years. Their average sleep duration was assessed through a variety of methods, including questionnaires and wearable technology.
Register now to continue reading
Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Unlimited access to news and opinion
-
Email newsletter providing activity ideas, best practice and breaking news
Already have an account? Sign in here