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A chronic lack of sleep among adolescents may result in severe obesity. That is the conclusion of researchers from the University of Maastricht in The Netherlands. In their study, children between 0 and 16 years were closely monitored. Every four years, their body weight was recorded.

The conclusion of the study is that adolescents with only little sleep are significantly heavier than their peers who sleep sufficiently.

Not only do teenagers with sleep deprivation 'graze' more frequently. But they also have a higher level of the hormone cortisol. Cortisol stimulates the storage of fat deep deep in the inner body.

Not only the lack of sleep plays a role, the parents also affect the weight of their children. Adolescents with a thick father or a mother have a higher risk of becoming obese than other youngsters. Stress is also a risk factor. People who regularly eat much and are sensitive to chronic stress are more often overweight than others.

Ongoing surveys in the United States, already showed a clear connection between insufficient sleep and obesity.