How regular bedtimes for young kids lessen the risk of obesity

Regular bedtimes, mealtimes and limited screen time seem to be linked to better emotional health in three-year-olds, and these structures may also lower the chances of obesity later in life, a new study suggests.

Dr Sarah Anderson, whose research focuses on understanding psychological and social influences on children's growth and childhood obesity prevention, has looked at the connections between early childhood routines and their potential association with weight problems in the tween years. The study, which has been published in the International Journal of Obesity, examined household routines when children were 3 years old: regular bedtimes, regular mealtimes and whether or not parents limited television and video watching to an hour or less per day. The research team then investigated how such routines and self-regulation worked together to impact obesity at age 11. Dr Anderson says the study provides evidence that proper routines for preschool-aged children are associated with their healthy development and could reduce the likelihood that these children will be obese. The research included 10,955 children who are part of the Millennium Cohort Study, a long-term study of a diverse population of children born in the UK from September of 2000 to January of 2002. At age 3, 41% of children always had a regular bedtime, 47% always had a regular mealtime and 23% were limited to an hour or less daily of tv and videos. At age 11, about 6% were obese. All three household routines were associated with better emotional self-regulation - a measure based on parents' responses to questions such as how easily the child becomes frustrated or over-excited. Anderson says that children with greater emotional dysregulation were more likely to be obese later,

"This research allows us to better understand how young children's routines around sleep, meals, and screen time relate to their regulation of emotion and behaviour. We saw that children who had the most difficulties with emotion regulation at age 3 also were more likely to be obese at age 11."

Anderson and her colleagues found that the absence of a regular preschool bedtime was an independent predictor of obesity at 11. Obesity risk increased even when children "usually" had a regular bedtime, as opposed to "always." The risk was greatest for those who had the least amount of consistency in their bedtimes. The new findings build on previous research that showed an association between earlier preschool bedtimes and decreased odds of obesity later. Previous work published in the US in 2010 showed that obesity prevalence was lowest for children who got enough sleep, had limits on screen time and ate meals with their families. Dr Anderson says the findings show how regular bedtime routines can support healthy development,

"Sleep is so important and it's important for children in particular. Although there is much that remains unknown about how sleep impacts metabolism, research is increasingly finding connections between obesity and poor sleep. Recommending regular bedtime routines is unlikely to cause harm, and may help children in other ways, such as through emotion regulation."

Interesting findings, but what about those of us who have smallies who appear to require no sleep whatsoever? We asked HerFamily's own sleep expert Niamh O'Reilly if she thinks a child is either born a "good sleeper" or not?

"Honestly, I'm a little on the fence about it, and I do think the nature versus nurture debate could apply to sleep. I have looked after many children who came into the world as champion sleepers. It could be luck of the draw - maybe their personality and easygoing nature has something to do with it - but there is a school of thought that says it's down to genetics. But my gut says a large part of it is down to environmental factors, like position in the family - in my experience, firstborn children often sleep better than their younger siblings. How they were delivered might also be a factor. A strong daytime routine can positively impact sleeping habits... and where they sleep - with parents or on their own. Whatever the reason, if you have a 'good sleeper', be grateful. Although don't get complacent - as any parent knows, things with kids and sleep can change as often as the Irish weather. If you have a 'bad sleeper', odds are you can change this."

Anderson agrees that competing modern family pressures, including parents' work schedules, don't always allow for consistency when it comes to putting smallies to bed at the same time every night,

"As a society, we should consider what we can do to make it easier for parents to interact with their children in ways that support their own and their children's health."

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