Lack of sleep could be contributing to the rise in obesity in children, a researcher says today.
英国研究人员日前公布的一项研究结果发现,儿童睡眠太少可能是导致他们肥胖的主要原因之一。
Dr Sharad Taheri, of the Henry Wellcome Institute, University of Bristol, says children are staying up to watch television, talk to friends on their mobiles and use their computers.
英国布里斯托尔大学的科学家沙拉德·塔赫里博士说,现在的孩子们睡觉都不多,经常只顾着看电视、打手机和朋友聊天或者玩电脑。
He advocates creating "calm environments" for children" by taking their gadgets out of the bedroom, including computers and televisions. He also suggests exercise, at least two hours before bedtime, and not eating meals near bedtime.Lack of sleep can also lead to tiredness during the day, making it difficult to take exercise.
塔赫里呼吁家长把电脑和电视搬出孩子们的卧室,给孩子创造“安静的空间”,还建议孩子们多参加体育锻炼,睡前不吃东西等。塔赫里认为,睡眠过少可能不是导致儿童肥胖的惟一原因,但是它的影响却需要重视起来,比如睡眠太少的话,白天更容易疲劳而不想锻炼。
Another study showed that insufficient sleep in 30-month-old infants was linked to an increase in obesity at seven. Two or three nights of sleep restriction can also have a "profound effect" on young adults, Dr Taheri says.
另一项研究还发现,30个月大的宝宝如果经常睡眠不足,那么7岁时肥胖的几率将会增加。另外,两三个晚上睡得太少,也会对青少年造成“深远影响”,尽管表面上没那么明显。 |