A new study has discovered a link between chronic sleep loss and obesity in children.

Lead study author Elsie Taveras, MD, MPH, chief of General Pediatrics at MGHfC, and investigators from MassGeneral Hospital for Children (MGHfC) discovered compelling evidence that children who experienced chronic sleep deprivation in infancy and early childhood had an increase in overall body fat by the age of seven.

Unlike previous studies, the new study took into account factors other than body mass index (BMI). The current study looked at information from Project Viva, an investigation of the health effects of various factors during pregnancy and in early childhood. The data was gathered from mothers during interviews and from questionnaires completed at various points in the children’s lives.

Body measurements were taken at the seven-year visit, and included height and weight, total body fat, lean body tissue, abdominal fat, and waist and hip girths. Overall, kids who experienced the lowest amount of sleep had the highest levels of all body measurements, including abdominal fat which is especially dangerous. The link between lack of adequate sleep and body fat deposits was consistent among all ages.

“Our study found convincing evidence that getting less than recommended amounts of sleep across early childhood is an independent and strong risk factor for obesity and adiposity. Contrary to some published studies, we did not find a particular ‘critical period’ for the influence of sleep duration on weight gain. Instead, insufficient sleep at any time in early childhood had adverse effects,” said Taveras in a statement.

The findings of the study are to be published in the June issue of the journal Pediatrics.