Well Rested Kids Do Better in School, and Avoid Obesity

When young kids get more sleep, they are less likely to battle obesity as they get older, according to a study children from third through sixth grade. The study found that the less sleep students got, the more likely they were to be obese in sixth grade, regardless of what the child’s weight was in third grade.

The "magic number" of hours that a third grader should sleep per night?

Nine hours and forty-five minutes.

Why is lack of sleep linked to obesity?

First, lack of sleep can disturb the “yin and yang” of a child’s appetite regulation.

Further, studies with sleep-deprived adults show elevated levels of hormones that promote hungry feelings and lower levels of hormones that create the feeling of fullness. The result? Tired people feel more hungry and eat more.

In addition kids who are tired are less likely to exercise and more likely to “sit on the couch and eat cookies” after school.

Tired Kids Don't Concentrate as Well

My tutors tell me that sometimes their students are uninspired, sluggish, or otherwise less productive than usual. Often, after talking with the student, they find out that they have been getting less sleep because of stress and their workload at school. I have also noticed in my experience as a private tutor, guidance counselor, and teacher that when kids are tired, they do not concentrate as well.

Well Rested Kids Do Better in School

So, learning good sleeping routines early may also help your child do better in school. They can concentrate and feel better, and therefore focus more intently on whatever it is they are trying to accomplish, whether it is learning a new concept or beating the rival school in a sporting activity.

Enforcing bedtimes, restricting caffeine, and removing the TV from young kids’ rooms can all help your child sleep better and longer.

Source: "More Sleep can cut kids' obesity risk," www.cnn.com