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More Sleep Leads to Leaner Children
 Parents know how important it is for kids to get adequate sleep. Now a new study published in the journal Pediatrics gives us yet another reason.
Researchers tested the relationship between sleep duration and body mass and found that children in the sixth grade who did not receive adequate sleep are more likely to be overweight. How much sleep does a child need? A minimum of 9 hours and 45 minutes was recommended. The study also found that less sleep is predictive of future obesity. Third graders who slept for fewer than nine hours a day tended to be overweight by sixth grade regardless of their weight in the third grade. Every additional hour of sleep decreases a child’s chances of becoming overweight by grade six by 40%! Though it isn’t yet understood exactly how sleep influences body composition, sleep affects hormones that regulate appetite, growth, and of course, energy levels. Fatigue resulting from inadequate sleep leads to decreased physical activity as well as reduced attention in school and behavioral problems. The study concluded that adequate sleep in childhood is a preventive approach to overweight. Almost 22% of American children are overweight and 10% are obese. Sleep, like diet and exercise, is part of a healthy lifestyle. Here are some tips to help encourage your child to sleep:
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