hildren who bask in the nighttime glow of a TV or computer
don’t get enough rest and suffer from poor lifestyle habits, new research from
the University of Alberta has shown.
A provincewide survey of Grade 5 students in Alberta showed
that as little as one hour of additional sleep decreased the odds of being
overweight or obese by 28 per cent and 30 per cent, respectively. Children with
one or more electronic devices in the bedroom—TVs, computers, video games and
cellphones—were also far more likely to be overweight or obese.
“If you want your kids to sleep better and live a healthier
lifestyle, get the technology out of the bedroom,” said co-author Paul
Veugelers, a professor in the School of Public Health, Canada Research Chair in
Population Health and Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions Health Scholar.