Obesity linked to reduced sleep, technology use, caffeine

According to a research presented at SLEEP 2009, the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, adolescent obesity is associated with having less sleep.

Reduction in sleep could be related to a higher caffeine intake, more hours of technology use and increased symptoms of sleep disorders (such as snoring).

Results indicate that children who slept less consumed more caffeine and had more hours of screen time (use of television, Internet, computer and video games). A higher body mass index (BMI) was also associated with shorter sleep duration. More hours of screen time were also associated with higher caffeine consumption.

According to lead author Amy Drescher, PhD, research specialist at the University of Arizona in Tucson, there are many reasons that kids gain weight, and inadequate sleep is just one of them.

"Boys had significantly more vigorous exercise, recreational activity than girls," said Drescher. "The sleep and obesity connection is not always seen because factors such as exercise may keep weight in check."

The study gathered data from 320 children who completed detailed dietary and physical activity questionnaires. Correlation and regression analysis were used to study the relationships among diet, physical activity and self-reported sleep duration and screen time. Mean age of the sample group was 13.3 years; 51.8 percent of participants were male, 65 percent were Caucasian and 35 percent were Hispanic.

Inadequate sleep combined with increased electronic screen time and caffeine intake may have negative implications for adolescents' health, psychosocial well-being and academic performance.


(Editor compiled and published Obesity linked to reduced sleep, technology use, caffeine at HealthNewsTrack on June 10, 2009 sourced from American Academy of Sleep Medicine - http://www.aasmnet.org/)

Obesity - recent articles and current news stories:

- Eat out at restaurants and still lose weight
- Mother toddler relationship quality linked to teen obesity
- Sugar sweetened beverages ban in schools not reducing consumption among adolescents
- Overweight or obese kids at greater risk of high blood pressure
- 65 million more obese in US and 11 million more in UK by 2030

Obesity article/news source:

Read more health articles from American Academy of Sleep Medicine and health articles from USA.

Obesity - search related terms:

Adolescent obesity, BMI, Body mass index, Caffeine, Obesity, Reduced sleep, Sleep disorder, Snoring, Technology use, Weight loss,
Obesity books,

Searched keywords: caffeine and obesity (5), obesity linked to technology (5),

Subscribe to Health News by Email

List health news, Health organizations, Health news world, Glossary, Best health articles, Featured     Go to top

The information provided on Health Newstrack is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her physician. We comply with the HONcode principles for trustworthy health information, and Health News Track is hon code accredited, verify here.
About us, Site map Privacy policy, Disclaimer
© 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 HealthNewsTrack.com
1.31