Teenage Obesity, Teen Weight Problems Linked to Late Sleeping Patterns


A recent study of sleep patterns for 2,200 Australian school-aged children (9-16 years old) showed that the 'night owls' were twice as likely to be obese, and more than 50 % more likely to be overweight than children or went to bed earlier.

On average the 'night owls' substituted 30 minutes of physical activity with about 48 minutes watching TV, playing video games, and online screen time each day.

Encouraging teenagers to go to bed earlier may help prevent weight gain and improve fitness and physical activity. This article discusses the results and implications of the study

Many parents have been concerned as the growing tendency of adolescents and teenagers to go to bed later and sleep-in. There are been many studies on the sleep deprivation caused by late sleeping patterns. Many teenagers go to bed very late and may have only 5-6 hours of sleep a night on week-days. Some schools have decided to start lessons later in the day to try to counter this. Late sleeping has been generally linked with the increase in the hours spent watching videos, TV and playing online games. While the effects of sleep deprivation on teenagers and children have been well documented, what is the effect of the late sleeping patterns themselves when the hours slept remains the same?

Teenage night owls have a higher risk of obesity and being over weight
Teenage night owls have a higher risk of obesity and being over weight. Source: Public Domain
Childhood obesity is a growing problem
Childhood obesity is a growing problem. Source: Source: Public Domain
Inadequate sleep linked to poor grades and poor health in teenagers
Inadequate sleep linked to poor grades and poor health in teenagers. Source: Public Domain

A team of researchers from the University of Adelaide in Australia conducted a study or 2,200 adolescent children to examine whether bedtimes and waking up times affected the health and weight of children aged between 9 and 16 years.

The study involved the use of time interviews and pedometers and data collected on their free time activities.

The results the study were published in the Journal Sleep - Sleep Duration or Bedtime? Exploring the Relationship between Sleep Habits and Weight Status and Activity Patterns

Adolescents were divided into four sleep time pattern groups:

The use of time by the subjects in the four groups were compared in relation to screen time, time of physical activity, and time spent studying.

Weight status and various social features of the groups were also compared.


The table below summarised the results:

Feature
Late Sleeping Patterns
Screen Time
48 minutes per day more
Physical Activity
27 minutes per day less
BMI
z-score ( 0.66 vs 0.45 )
Likely to be overweight
1.47 times higher
Likely to be obese
2.16 times higher
Likely to exercise
1.77 times lower
Likely high screen times
2.92 times higher
Household status
Poorer households
City or Country
City households
Siblings
Fewer Siblings

Late bedtimes and late wake up times were associated with generally lower physical activities and excess weight problems that were independent of age, sex and sleep duration. The late sleep pattern itself was associated with the differences shown in the study. 

As with any of these studies it is hard to go from the association between the various aspects to the cause and effect. Late sleeping may not be the direct cause of excess weight. Over weight adolescents may be less likely to exercise and may spend more time watching screens and may go to bed later. Kids who exercise may be simply tired and go to bed earlier. Nevertheless the study is very informative.

The take home messages from the study are:


Benjamin Franklin's famous quote rings true from this study

"Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise,"

Contrast this with the words of my high school maths teacher

"If you go to bed before midnight you are wasting your life sleeping"

How much sleep do most people need:





Late nights leads to poor sleep patterns an inattention in class
Late nights leads to poor sleep patterns an inattention in class. Source: Public Domain
One thing leads to another. The vicious cycle causing inadequate sleep in teenagers and health problems
One thing leads to another. The vicious cycle causing inadequate sleep in teenagers and health problems. Source: Source: Public Domain
The Night Mare
The Night Mare. Source: Public Domain
Health problems linke with the obese child
Health problems linke with the obese child: Public Domain
Poor attention in class can be linked to lack of sleep in teenagers
Poor attention in class can be linked to lack of sleep in teenagers. Source: Source: Public Domain
Childhood obesity is a huge problem
Childhood obesity is a huge problem. Source: Public Domain
Obesity is race related
Obesity is race related. Source: Public Domain
Obesity rates vary by location
Obesity rates vary by location. Source: Public Domain
Childhood obesity linked with playing games and social interations via text and social media
Childhood obesity linked with playing games and social interations via text and social media. Source: Public Domain