Are Children Getting Enough Sleep?

Turning out the lights early could indeed help your children live stronger and healthier lives. "A study in the August issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry finds that children who do not get enough sleep are more likely to be overweight than their well-rested peers," HealthDay News reports.

"According to the data, children who were overweight slept about 22 minutes less per night, had shorter periods of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, less eye activity during REM sleep, and a longer wait before the first REM period than normal weight children," says HealthDay News. More studies showed that a one-hour reduction in daily REM sleep nearly tripled a child's odds for overweight and obesity, concluding that there is an important relationship between REM sleep and high BMI and obesity, says Yahoo's HealthDay News. WebMD says, "The percentage of REM sleep is highest during infancy and early childhood. During adolescence and young adulthood, the percentage of REM sleep declines. Infants can spend up to 50% of their sleep in the REM stage of sleep, whereas adults spend only about 20% in REM."

You know what this means? Cut the TV time before bed and make sure your child gets the right amount of sleep every night! Make sure your kids get enough rest--help them feel their best. This extra shut eye will keep them refreshed and ready to move and learn. So slip on the PJs and head for bed early!