We’ve mentioned before that insomniacs are more likely to gain excess weight. Now, a new study from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Beth Israel Deaconness Medical Center has found that teenagers who sleep less than eight hours on weeknights consume an average of 245 more calories per day than those who sleep more.
An additional 245 calories per day might not sound like much, but over the course of a year it can add up to a 25lb weight gain.
It’s possible that sleep deprivation is a contributing factor behind the increase in childhood obesity rates, yet we rarely see this link being made publicly.
Sleep deprived teenagers are not only at risk of obesity, they’re also more likely to suffer from depression and even thoughts of suicide.
We need to take sleep deprivation in children and teenagers far more seriously.
As always, there's more information and advice in our insomnia support forum.