Seven to eight hours of sleep increased the chance of gaining weight by as much as 29% compared to eight hours of sleep.
The study was conducted by Spanish experts, who concluded that it demonstrated why adolescents should aim for a minimum of eight hours of sleep per night.
Sleep deprivation can cause the body to create the hunger hormone ghrelin, which causes people to eat more, so increasing the risk of obesity.
The study of nearly 1,200 children aged 12 to 16 examined their weekly sleep duration and correlated it with their body mass index (BMI).
It was discovered that 14-year-olds who slept less than seven hours each night were 72% more likely to have a BMI of more than 25 than those who slept more than eight hours.
Researchers stated that parents should set a good example’ by imposing tight bedtimes to reduce their children’s chance of developing cardiac conditions due to weight increase.
It comes amid a growing childhood obesity pandemic in England, where one in five children are overweight by the time they enter primary school.
During the Covid pandemic, childhood obesity reached “record levels” as youngsters sat at home and were unable to play in playgrounds.
The National Health Service suggests adolescents receive between seven and eleven hours of sleep every night for physical and mental development.
Insufficient sleep has also been linked to a variety of health issues in old age, including high blood pressure, dementia, and diabetes, according to previous research.
Today, an abstract of the most recent research was given at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2022.
In 2019, researchers in Spain analyzed data from a study of 1,229 secondary school students to determine how sleep affected their weight.
The children were separated into groups of 12-, 14-, and 16-year-olds.
The BMIs of the individuals were recorded to determine if they were underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese. This took their age, height, and gender into account.
Twenty-seven percent of 12-year-olds, twenty-four percent of 14-year-olds, and twenty-one percent of 16-year-olds were overweight or obese, respectively.
In addition to measuring their waist size, blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels, researchers assessed their overall health.
Teens were given sleep trackers to wear on their wrists for a week to monitor the amount of sleep they received.
Only 34% of 12-year-olds slept at least eight hours, while the percentage was even lower for ages 14 (23.4%) and 16 (16%). (19.4 percent).
Researchers found that boys and children from ethnic minority families tended to sleep less.
Researchers showed that 12-year-olds who slept less than seven hours each night were one-third more likely to be overweight or obese than those who slept at least eight hours.
It was one-fifth more likely that twelve-year-olds who slept between seven and eight hours would fall into this category.
In addition, both groups were more likely to have a bigger waist circumference and higher blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels.
The researchers did not specify why lack of sleep contributed to obesity.
However, past research indicates that sleep deprivation might sap energy throughout the day, making people less willing to exercise and more prone to snacking.
Jesus Martinez Gomez, a cardiologist at the Spanish National Centre for Cardiovascular Research in Madrid, recommended that schools “promote proper sleeping habits.”
He stated, “The relationships between inadequate sleep and adverse health were independent of energy intake and physical activity levels, demonstrating that sleep itself is significant.
‘Parents may set a good example by establishing a regular bedtime and minimizing evening screen time.
Additionally, public policies are required to address this worldwide health concern.
According to Chloe MacArthur, a senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, adequate sleep is essential during adolescence since it promotes healthy development as well as physical and mental health.
‘However, adolescents are not the only ones who should prioritize a good night’s sleep, as sufficient slumber is essential to our general health and heart health throughout life.
‘Sleep is not the only aspect to consider, and it’s crucial to evaluate your entire lifestyle.
Knowing your numbers, such as your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, maintaining a healthy weight and engaging in regular physical activity, reducing your salt and alcohol consumption, and eating a well-balanced diet is vital for maintaining a healthy heart at any age.
