Childhood insomnia needs to be taken more seriously and new research confirms this. Teenagers with sleep disorders tend to have a higher body mass index which can lead to higher levels of cholesterol - a risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
Even more worrying, in a study of over 1,600 students aged 14 to 16, 22% rated their sleep as fairly bad or very bad. 17% said that they regularly took sleep medication.
One of the best things you can do for your child if they're struggling with sleep is to ensure they are getting at least 90 minutes of physical activity each day.
Please do not ignore childhood sleep problems. Childhood insomnia is serious. Seek medical advice sooner rather than later.
Improve your sleep in two weeks: Over 5,000 insomniacs have completed my free insomnia sleep training course and 97% of graduates say they would recommend it to a friend. Learn more here.
Last updated: December 8, 2010
