Poor sleep may trigger obesity in children – Paediatricians

Children who lack sleep may experience severe effects on their physical and mental well-being, according to paediatricians.

The paediatric specialists clarified that insufficient sleep in kids not only makes them more likely to become obese as adults but also seriously hinders their ability to study and grow cognitively.

In separate interviews, the experts said that a significant contributing reason to the pervasive problem of youngsters experiencing sleep deprivation is the modern lifestyle, which is marked by longer screen times and unpredictable sleep schedules.

The child health specialist emphasised that not getting enough sleep could result in poor concentration, memory issues, and poor academic performance.

According to Professor Omotayo Adesiyun, a consultant paediatrician at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital in Kwara State, getting enough sleep is essential for normal brain development and the creation of essential cognitive and behavioural skills in children.

According to the professor of Paediatrics, inadequate sleep has profound implications for children’s growth, development, and overall health.

“Uninterrupted sleep leads to brain development and engaging activities that facilitate thinking, language development and behaviour formation. It helps them to grow physically and attain normal developmental milestones,” she stated.

The don emphasised that the amount of sleep needed varies by age, adding, “The amount of sleep a child needs depends on the age. In the first few months of life, the baby needs a total of about 18 hours of sleep. From about 4 months they need a total of 12 -15 hours;1-2 years old, about 11-14 hours and 3-5 years 10- 13 hours. These are the total including taking naps during the day.”
Growth hormones are released during sleep, and Adesiyun emphasised that growth hormones are necessary for physical growth.

Lack of sleep, according to her, can cause stunted growth, delays in development, and problems with learning.

The speaker emphasised that the effects of sleep deprivation go beyond short-term developmental problems.

She said that getting too little sleep can result in unhealthful weight growth, raising the chance of becoming obese.

She went on, "Sleep is essential for children's brain development to occur normally. Sleep aids in memory consolidation, which is crucial for learning.

"Growth hormone is released by children's bodies as they sleep, and this is crucial for their tall growth.

"Children who lack sleep are more likely to have unhealthy weight gain, which increases their risk of being overweight or obese, as well as poor growth, development, and learning. Additionally, they could become infected.

"Difficulties with memory, problem-solving, and decision-making have also been linked to inadequate sleep."

The lecturer advised creating a regular bedtime routine to prevent sleep loss.

Important actions include reading or doing other relaxing activities, setting a regular bedtime, and shutting off electronics like TVs and computers at least an hour before bed, according to her.

A nighttime ritual, according to her, "helps signal to children that it's time to wind down and prepare for sleep."

The difficulties parents have, particularly in juggling job and family life, were also covered by Adesiyun.

"To make sure their kids get enough sleep, parents might have to make some sacrifices, like selecting flexible work schedules or hiring a reliable carer," he suggested.

She also recommended furnishing a cosy sleeping space and making sure kids have a healthy daily routine that includes both play and relaxation.
The decisions about what sacrifices to make for their children's health must be made by the parents. Some couples decide that the mother should work from home while the kids are small, or she can work from home and run a flexible business, like an internet business.

"They might need to have a reliable nanny for their kids if both parents must be gone from the house.

"For parents who find it difficult to encourage their kids to sleep, they should try the suggestions above and check what their children are eating in the evening or night.

“They should avoid anything that contains caffeine as this can keep their children awake. If they still have problems, they should consult their doctor.”

On his part, a Consultant Paediatrician at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Dr. Bankole Kuti, warned that inadequate sleep can severely impact children’s mood, behaviour, and academic performance.

Kuti, who is also an associate Professor of Paediatrics noted that sleep problems can result in issues such as moodiness, impulsiveness, and even depression, along with memory impairment that affects school performance.
According to the paediatrician, persistent sleep disorders in kids can cause obesity, type 2 diabetes, and poor cardiovascular health, among other major health problems.

Sharing bedrooms can throw off sleep schedules, so he emphasised that kids from low-income households and those living in cramped quarters are especially at risk.

Additionally, Kuti drew attention to the fact that teenagers' growing use of social media and screen time is shortening their sleep duration and raising the incidence of sleep disorders.

In terms of both total sleep time and quality, he declared, "Children should have adequate sleep." For them to get the full benefits of sleep, multiple cycles of both REM and NREM sleep should occur.

Children who have sleep problems or lack of sleep may become irritable, impetuous, despondent, or even hyperactive, which increases their risk of mishaps, they may also have memory impairment leading to poor school performance.

“Some of the implications include type 2 diabetes, Metabolic syndrome, obesity, poor growth and development, ADHD, poor academic performance and inability to fulfill their potential, poor quality of life, and poor cardiovascular health.”
Kuti suggested parents create a sleep-friendly environment that is dark, quiet, and comfortably warm in order to counteract the issue of establishing a consistent bedtime routine from an early age.

The objective is to enable the youngster to go asleep as soon as possible on their own. For time-pressed parents, the first phase can be a little difficult, but if the youngster accepts a pattern, it becomes really easy. It is recommended that parents devote time and effort to making sure the schedule is set and followed to the letter.

The prevalence of sleep disturbances and disorders is higher among children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, as well as those who live in overcrowded households and must share a bedroom with several others. In cases where multiple people share a bedroom, bedtime routine will be difficult to maintain, bedtime, light out time, etc will be affected thereby affecting the quality and quantity of sleep.
Aside from these sociocultural variables, skipping supper, eating large meals at night, and late dinner times can all have an impact on sleep. Meal timing and quality might be impacted by heavy and non-meal consumption.

The prevalence of sleep disorders and disruptions in children is rising, especially among adolescents, and sleep experts from all over the world are observing a trend towards shorter sleep durations overall. This is undoubtedly connected to more time spent on screens, social media, and other diversions, the speaker stated.