Weekend late bedtimes cause child weight gain

New research suggests that children who stay up later on weekends than they do on weekdays are more likely to gain excess weight. The study, carried out by researchers at the University of Helsinki, found that children with inconsistent bedtimes had a larger waist circumference and higher body mass index than those with a consistent bedtime. The researchers believe that “social jet lag,” caused by the disruption to sleep patterns, may be responsible for disrupting the body’s ability to process food efficiently. Previous research has already shown that children who get less than the recommended amount of sleep per night are more likely to become overweight. Limiting screen time could be one way to encourage children to go to bed at the same time every night. While it is not known exactly how much sleep children need, the NHS recommends that children between the ages of 5 and 11 get at least 10 hours of sleep per night. The findings highlight the importance of consistent bedtimes for children’s health and suggest that parents should establish a regular sleep routine for their children.