Are you concerned about your child’s weight? Dr. Errol Keith Douglas and the team at Gold Pediatrics in Rockville, MD, offer assistance and guidance with child weight management to empower parents to help their children live healthier lives.

Sleep and Childhood Weight Issues

We all know that managing weight requires staying active and eating well. However, many people don’t realize that an equally important—and in some ways, more important—factor is sleep. Below, Dr. Douglas and the team at Gold Pediatrics in Rockville, MD, explain the role of sleep in child weight management, as well as a few tips for improving their time and quality of sleep.

Facts That Link Sleep and Weight Management

Though it’s not completely understood, studies have found a connection between obesity and poor sleep. The following facts can play a role:

The Body Has Natural Rhythms

It’s well-known that the body has certain rhythms, one of which is our natural sleep-wake cycle. During this cycle, certain processes go on between the brain and the body, including the slowing of metabolism while we sleep. It increases after waking up. However, when sleep is disrupted, so is the metabolic process, which often leads our metabolism to stay low during our waking times.

Sleep Impacts Our Moods and Energy Levels

Think about the days after you had a rough night of sleep. Maybe your baby kept waking you up to eat, or maybe you couldn’t shut your mind off. In either case, you didn’t get enough uninterrupted sleep. How do you feel?

Most of us feel grouchy, easily irritated, and tired. We don’t feel like doing anything, especially not exercising. We would be content lying down all day. Kids are no different.

A Lack of Sleep Can Create Unhealthy Cravings

When our moods are impacted and our energy is low, we tend to crave sugary, unhealthy snacks. While this can be due to emotions, it can also be your body screaming for things to help it stay awake and become energized.

Tips for Helping Your Child Get Better Sleep

As you can see from the facts above, not sleeping well can lead to a lack of energy, poor metabolism regulation, and unhealthy foods, all of which can lead to obesity. Try implementing the following tips:.

• Cut back on after-school activities.
• Set and keep a regular sleep schedule that includes a quiet bedtime routine.
• Keep your child’s room dark, cool, and quiet.
• Keep electronics out of their room.

Learn more about sleep and child weight management by visiting Dr. Errol Keith Douglas and the team at Gold Pediatrics in Rockville, MD. Call (301) 517-9710 to schedule an appointment today.