A new study published in the Journal of Pediatrics showed that teenagers who sleep less than six hours per night are more likely to wind up obese. Data was collected on the weight and sleep habits of more than 10,000 American teens and young adults between 16 and 21 years of age as a part of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. The data showed that nearly one-fifth 16-year-olds get less than six hours of sleep. And this group was 20 percent more likely to be obese by age 21, compared to those who got more than eight hours of sleep.
“Lack of sleep in your teenage years can stack the deck against you for obesity later in life,” says researcher Shakira F. Suglia. “Once you’re an obese adult, it is much harder to lose weight and keep it off. And the longer you are obese, the greater your risk for health problems like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.” “The message for parents is to make sure their teenagers get more than eight hours a night,” adds Suglia. “A good night’s sleep does more than help them stay alert in school. It helps them grow into healthy adults. Daytime sleepiness and fatigue are known to affect what and how people eat, by altering appetite and stimulating cravings. ” Energy levels during the day seems to play a role in the problem. For the sleep-deprived teen , ordering calorie-dense fast food is easier to turn to than a healthier meal.
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