A study has revealed that obese teenagers, who sleep seven to eight and a half hours a night, help reduce their risk of developing Type Two diabetes.
The research, published in the Diabetes Care Journal, found that teens who snooze for the recommended hours a night, keep their blood sugar levels at the optimum level which wards off the risk of diabetes.
Those who sleep for any more, or less, than the hours required, will increase the chances of their glucose levels soaring and heighten the risk of health complications.
And it’s not just the amount of sleep that is crucial to obese teen’s health – it’s also the quality, as the study found that those who had lower amounts of ‘deep’ sleep caused their insulin levels to dip.
The 62 teenagers who took part in the study, were monitored for one and a half days where their blood sugars levels were analysed.
The key to keeping insulin and glucose levels at a healthy balance is all down to having a regular sleep pattern and ensuring that the quality of sleep is encouraged, say experts.
These findings coincide with a previous study in 2007, where it discovered that adults who were sleep deprived were more likely to develop diabetes than those who got the optimum hours of shut eye a night.
If your teen (or you) find it hard to fall into a deep sleep, check out these 5 top tips on how to get some quality snoozing by MyMindWorks sleep expert and mind coach, Tim Smale:
1. Finish everything you have to do on your computer by 10pm. Switch off mobiles and PCs and leave them outside of the bedroom so you're not tempted to answer texts or emails.
2. Don't go to bed on a full stomach - make your final meal before 9pm.
3. Shut your eyes and focus on your breathing as it becomes slower and deeper. This makes your body more relaxed.
4. Create a story in your head and allow your imagination to experience that story.
5. Don't go to bed worrying about anxieties or concerns. They can wait until tomorrow.