Boys who maintain at least nine hours of sleep throughout the week have a 51% lower risk of obesity and significantly less abdominal fat. Children’s sleep duration is related to different types of fat, particularly abdominal fat, which is closely linked to metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Sleep duration was measured through caregiver reports and wearable activity trackers. MRI scans were used to map fat under the skin and around internal organs. Boys who slept at least nine hours daily throughout the week had healthier outcomes. They showed significantly lower fat across all abdominal regions measured, including visceral fat, which is stored around internal organs. These boys also had lower levels of a blood inflammation marker that is linked to chronic inflammation and heart disease. Girls showed similar but weaker associations, suggesting possible biological or behavioral differences in how sleep affects fat accumulation. Many school-age children sleep less on weekdays and try to catch up on weekends. The study found that this pattern did not reduce the risk of obesity or abdominal fat. Only children who consistently met recommended sleep duration across both weekdays and weekends experienced protective benefits. Consistent sleep habits throughout the week were important for protecting children’s metabolic health, rather than relying on extra sleep on weekends.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Nine Hours Of Sleep A Day Cuts Obesity Risk In Boys New Singapore Study Shows
