No gadgets before naptime

RESEARCHERS from the University of Alberta in Canada have found that having electronic devices in children’s bedrooms are linked with both poor sleep and obesity.

Researchers used data from nearly 3,400 students in fifth grade (10 to 11 years old) in a survey of their nighttime sleep habits and access to electronic devices.

Half of them had a television, DVD player, or video game console in the bedroom, 21% had a computer, and 17% had a mobile phone.

Some 57% of them reported using their phones, watching television, or playing video games after they were supposed to be asleep.

Researchers found that students with access to one electronic device were 1.47 times more likely to be overweight than those with no devices in the bedroom.

That increased to 2.57 times for children with three devices.

They also said as little as one hour of extra sleep each night decreased the odds of being overweight by 28% and obese by 30%.

“If you want your kids to sleep better and live a healthier lifestyle, get the technology out of the bedroom,” says co-author Paul Veugelers, a professor in the School of Public Health at the University of Alberta

Co-author Christina Fung adds that children today are not sleeping as much as previous generations, with two-thirds not getting the recommended hours of sleep per night.

A good night’s sleep has been linked with better academics, fewer mood disorders, and healthier lifestyle habits. – AFP-Relaxnews