Why plenty of sleep is the key to a healthy weight

Posted: 10 September 2010
by Elin Tough

Sleep

Attention all mums: While we've long known that women who struggle with lack of sleep increase their risk of piling on the pounds, scientists have now found that young children face the same danger. A study by the University of Washington, US following 2,000 babies and toddlers over five years found that those who slept for less than 10 hours a night were nearly twice as likely to become overweight during that period. Much like adults, it's thought that children who are tired are less physically active and far more prone to weight gain.

ZEST SAYS: Useful advice for mums and mums to be - young children should ideally get between 11-15 hours sleep a night - but sleep is a crucial health issue for everyone. As another study recently reported, women who regularly get less than six hours sleep a night treble their risk of type 2 diabetes, as well as ramping up their weight and risk of premature death.

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Samantha Downes

Getting some youngsters to sleep is not that easy. I found controlled crying helped my 20 month old. She wasn't settling that well. I had serious sleep deprivation too, not good if you are working full time.
We stuck with it (and it did seem cruel at times) but she is now sleeping through 7pm to 5.30/6am most nights, oh and I am getting better sleep too!

Posted: 10/09/2010 at 15:59

alice foster

i guess sleep is not only the soution for weight loss .
for loosig weight there should be some kind of proper & medically safe diet. i guess pronokal is the best of all diets in uk . it seems to be booming in London

Posted: 16/03/2012 at 01:26

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