It’s not just food and the lack of exercise that contribute to obesity. We recognize that genetics play a cause, as does sleep, or lack thereof.  A recent research done by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) in 2008 showed that unbalanced sleep patterns contribute to obesity, and study accessible this week at the annual conference of the Pediatric Academic Societies came to an alike conclusion: sleep lack is tied to a higher body mass index (BMI), one of the markers of obesity.

The new study, from Seattle Children’s Research Institute, calculated the movements and assessed sleep patterns and calorie intake of 723 teens. Each child wore an accelerometer to establish activity level and answered a series of questions frequently on what they ate and drank, as well as how much sleep they got both during the week and on the weekends.

Results showed that boys in middle school knowledgeable the highest BMI related to lack of sleep, followed by males in high school. For girls, a higher BMI was connected with less weekend sleep.Sleep has long been known as a significant health behavior. They are just beginning to be familiar with its relationship to overweight and obesity in children and adults alike, said lead researcher Leslie Lytle in a news release.

In the 2008 NCHS study, 33 percent of those who sleep less than six hours were obese, while those who on a regular basis slept seven or eight hours per night were the thinnest with obesity occurring in only 22 percent of the participants.

Sleep insufficiency effects more than just your waistline. It can be harmful to your ability to remain alert and attentive, and have an effect on performance. It has been found that people who have slept fewer than six hours a night were more likely to expand a condition that precedes diabetes, increases the risk of high blood pressure and can lead to depression.

If your child has problem sleeping on an ordinary basis, there is an easy urine test that is efficient in detecting sleep apnea, an ordinary sleeping disorder.  You can also try homeopathic remedies that target insomnia, or try some simple non-prescription ways to get a good night’s sleep available.