Mini Review: Sleep and Chilhood Obesity

Childhood obesity is a complex endocrine issue that is becoming more common and often leads to various social, physiological and psychological problems in children. There are many reasons why this problem is getting worse. It is estimated that in 2024, the global population of children under the age of five will reach 35 million, while in 2022, the number of children and adolescents between the ages of 5 and 19 who are categorised as overweight will exceed 390 million. The prevalence of childhood obesity in Türkiye has been increasing in recent years. Sleep has many functions, including infection control and healing, brain development and cognitive performance (such as alertness and memory), and mood, emotion, and behaviour regulation. The amount of sleep required changes with age. Children and adolescents who do not receive adequate sleep are known to experience difficulties in terms of attention, emotional regulation, and may display irritability, impulsivity, or mood instability. It is well-known that short sleep duration is associated with decreased leptin levels and increased ghrelin levels. These changes are linked to increased appetite, potentially leading to overeating and an elevated body mass index. Poor sleep timing, late bedtimes or not getting as much sleep as needed may indicate a 'slipped' or 'delayed' sleep phase. A lack of sleep can have a detrimental effect on the general long-term health of everyone, but especially children