HONG KONG – Letting kids sleep in on the weekend might help them keep their weight in check.
Researchers in Hong Kong found children who get less sleep tend to be heavier (based on body mass index) than children who sleep more.
But the study also found children who make up the sleep deficit by spending a few extra hours in bed on weekends or holidays were significantly less likely to be overweight or obese.
Researchers didn’t look into why there was a difference.
They did note that obese and overweight children tended to spend more time doing homework and watching TV than children who had normal weights.
Researchers also pointed out irregular sleeping schedules among school-aged children have been linked to health, academic and behavioral problems.
The study, which tracked more than 5,100 children between the ages of five and 15, was published in the November issue of the journal Pediatrics.
