Little Sleep Equals Poor Diet in Teens

JUNE 2013—Sleep-deprived adolescents tend to make poorer food choices than their better-rested peers.

That’s the conclusion reached by a research team led by Stony Brook University School of Medicine and presented at SLEEP 2013, the annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies.

The scientists analyzed data from 13,284 teens who were interviewed for the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Youth who said they slept less than seven hours a night—representing 18% of the participants—were more likely to eat fast food at least twice a week and less likely to eat fresh produce and other healthy foods. The study took factors such as age, gender, ethnicity and socioeconomic status into account.

“If we determine that there is a causal link between chronic sleep problems and poor dietary choices, then we need to start thinking about how to more actively incorporate sleep hygiene education into obesity prevention and health promotion interventions,” said Lauren Hale, PhD, lead author and associate professor of preventive medicine at Stony Brook.

Other institutions involved in the study include University of Colorado at Denver, University of Wisconsin-Madison and Utah State University.

In the July/August Issue

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Officially Certified
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Skin Deep
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H O T H E A L T H T I P S
Feed Your Skin Olive Oil
Not only is olive oil beneficial for the skin when taken internally, applying it externally after sun exposure may help provide protection. Extra virgin olive oil contains strong antioxidants that combat the oxidizing effects of the sun on skin, reducing the signs of damage and aging.

Pick Your Berries
Berries, nature’s smallest fruits, pack a huge health wallop: In studies, these tiny marvels have battled the oxidative stress that researchers believe plays a key role in chronic disease development. Add fresh or frozen berries freely to your meals and for extra protection turn to berry-based supplements and drink mixes.

Allergy-Prone? Stay in the Shade
You may have to curtail your fun in the sun if you are subject to itchy eruptions, since allergy-prone skin is often sensitive to Old Sol’s rays. Shades, a wide-brimmed hat, and long-sleeved and -legged outerwear are recommended; before using sunscreen, check with your practitioner and be very careful to test anything on a small patch of skin first.

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