Weekend lie-ins for teenagers wards off obesity

[FarCenter]

By Richard Alleyne, Science Correspondent

New research suggests lazing in bed at the end of a busy week is just what children need to ward off obesity.

The scientists, who studied children aged five to 15, found those who slept in on Saturdays and Sundays were much less likely to have weight problems.

They believe the weekend snooze is crucial for school-age children to catch up on the sleep they miss out on during a busy week.

In the process, it helps to regulate calorie intake by reducing snacking during waking hours.

The findings, published in the journal Paediatrics, add to earlier research that showed a link between regular sleep deprivation and obesity.

<snip>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/6561500/Weekend-lie-ins-for-teenagers-wards-off-obesity.html

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Well, that's my excuse, and I'm sticking to it.

Good night.

[BrklynLiberal]

1. Bet there are a lot of 5-15 year-olds that would love to see this!!

[kid a]

2. any data on the 35-45 group?

[provis99]

8. the Slacker Gen-Xers?

sleeping in on the weekend is our generational right; we earned it!

[reggie the dog]

10. my daughter wakes me up early

[Muttocracy]

3. well, they've been saying that for years for adults

something to do with sleep deprivation -> hormones ->

[LeftyMom]

4. Wouldn't it be best not to overschedule them into sleep deprivation during the week?

:shrug:

[waiting for hope]

6. Hard enough the keep a decent schedule

when both parents work - my oldest is 8 and trying to get it all done (homework, dinner, bath and bedtime) in about 2 1/2 hours has been painful since he started school.

[XemaSab]

9. Either that or give them lots of solid exercise

so that they collapse into bed and sleep solidly. :shrug:

[waiting for hope]

5. Sleep deprivation causes a host of problems

and weight is a big one ... your body goes into crisis mode when you deprive yourself sleep, so it "stores" rather than expends calories through your metabolism. I've experienced it myself, I used to work in restaurants, and the lack of sleep due to the hours and partying helped pack on the lbs, once I started a 9-5 and was in bed before 11:00, the weight began to fall off.

[Quantess]

7. Sleep deprivation has long been associated with overeating.

And I don't need a scientific study to know this. I know I'm hungrier when I'm underslept.

Something else, is that I sleep more soundly when I exercise regularly, which also keeps the weight off.

[Historic NY]

11. I'm going back to bed.