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(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A new study adds to growing evidence that sleep is associated with weight. The research finds children and teens who sleep less are more likely to be overweight. Specifically, this research found those with less time in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep are especially more likely to have a weight problem.
The obesity rate has more than tripled in children ages 6 to 11 in the past 30 years. Its estimated 17 percent of the U.S. adolescents are now overweight or obese. A number of studies show an association with fewer hours of sleep and higher body mass index in both adults and children.
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For the study, researchers monitored sleep for three consecutive nights in 335 children between 7 and 17 years old. They assessed total sleep time, time spent in REM and the time it takes to fall asleep. They also used weight and height to determine the participants body mass index.
Researchers found the overweight children slept about 22 minutes less per night and had lower sleep efficiency, shorter REM sleep, less eye activating during REM sleep and a longer wait before the first REM period.
It is not clear why sleep and weight are connected. Study authors say it could be because sleep loss causes changes in hormone levels that impact hunger or that the individual is awake more and eats more. It could also be that sleep loss contributes to fatigue which may result in less physical activity. Whatever it is, researchers say these results demonstrate an important relationship between REM sleep and obesity that needs to be studied further.
SOURCE: Archives of General Psychiatry, 2008;65:924-932
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