Study Reveals That Light Exposure Enhances Weight Gain In Preschool Children

Light exposure contributes to weight gain to pre-school children, according to the world-first Queensland University of Technology study. Published by international research journal PLOS One, its findings are then shared in order to keep the parents abreast of other options and strategies on proper weight management among preschool kids.

Science Daily reports that the study involved 3 to 5 years old children from six Brisbane childcare centers. The researchers determined and monitored the children's sleep, activity and light disclosure for two weeks which categorized as Time 1. They also assessed the children's height and weight to know their BMI. Then after 12 months, they were reevaluated accordingly.

"At Time 1, we found that moderate intensity light exposure earlier in the day was associated with increased body mass index (BMI) while children who received the biggest dose of light --both outdoors and indoors--in the afternoon were slimmer," Cassandra Pattinson, Ph.D., one of the researchers of QUT's Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation and the Centre for Children's Health Research.

"At follow-up, children who had more light exposure at Time 1 had higher body mass 12 months later. A light had a significant impact on weight even after we accounted for Time 1 body weight, sleep, and activity," she added.

Pattinson also stated that there are about 42 million children mostly below 5 years old all over the world who are overweight and obese. "The study is a significant breakthrough," the researcher confirmed.

The team further explained that artificial lighting, including light given off by tablets, mobile phones, night lights and television, has contributed to the increase rate of obesity in children. 

The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association published a report on the cause and effect of childhood obesity. These include the risk of acute and chronic medical problems like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, pulmonary diseases, asthma, high cholesterol, stroke, elevated blood pressure and other chronic illnesses.

The obese children may also suffer from psychological issues such as depression and suicidal tendencies. Pattinson concluded that they were also trying to figure out how the research can be used to prevent obesity in children.