A recent study in Pediatrics suggests that simply measuring a child's weight and height may miss hidden obesity. Instead, the measurement of neck size may be a better assessment to identify hidden fat.

The study finds that the circumference of a child's neck may be more useful than the body mass index (BMI), which consists of a ratio of height and weight, as a means to detect hidden fat. As a person's weight increases, fat may build in areas that it is difficult to appreciate such as along the airway. This may lead to sleep problems such as sleep apnea, which can have serious consequences in children.

Follow me on Twitter or Facebook to receive notice of all the latest updates to this site.

According to a report in the September issue of the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, sleep deprivation among infants and young children is associated with the development of obesity later in life.

The association of sleep deprivation and obesity has been previously demonstrated in adults. This study extended this association to children by examining 1,930 children over a period of five years. Nearly 1/3 of the children were overweight or obese by the time of follow-up. Young  children who slept less had an increased risk of becoming heavy. Importantly, daytime naps did not seem to be an adequate substitute for insufficient nighttime sleep.

This study adds further evidence to the importance of sleep in maintaining our overall health. As we fight childhood obesity, prioritizing sleep may be an important element.

Follow me on Twitter or Facebook to receive notice of all the latest updates to this site.

In a recent study at the University of Pittsburgh, it was noted that a consistent routine -- including bedtime -- can help children avoid feelings of anxiety.

The study was conducted by Timothy Monk over a period of 13 years. Parents of 59 1-month-old babies kept track of the timing of feeding, changing, playing with and comforting their children. Over the next 13 years, periodic questionnaires were completed documenting mental state, including how often the children cried or felt fearful about new situations. Those children who had more dependable routines at 1 month were less likely to be anxious at age 10.

Keeping a consistent sleep schedule is part of the advice for better sleep. These particular outcomes could also relate to levels of hormones such as cortisol and melatonin as well as other factors such as sociability and parental influence.

Follow me on Twitter or Facebook to receive notice of all the latest updates to this site.

One of my colleagues has the kind of job you might see on a television crime series like CSI. He is a physician who specializes in forensic sleep medicine. In English, he is an expert in crimes committed while the suspect purportedly remains asleep.

As an example, occasionally there are murderers who may suggest that their crime was done while sleeping, the deed part of a vivid dream. This may be an attempt to avoid punishment, or based in fact. Careful assessment must occur to see if this individual has a sleep disorder that might allow this to happen.

Curiously, there are specific sleep disorders like parasomnias and REM behavior disorder that may allow unconscious crimes. It is thought possible for areas of the brain controlling actions to be active while other parts controlling consciousness remain asleep. Most of us are paralyzed during dreams, but if this system malfunctions we may act things out inappropriately.

Therefore, in some sleep disorders the person may feel asleep but still be able to do things, including complex actions like eating, driving, or even murder. An accused criminal would need to demonstrate on a sleep study that they have an impaired control system that would allow dream-enactment behaviors.

Such phenomena gives more evidence to my belief that sleep is fascinating -- and that one should be wary of things that go bump in the night.

Follow me on Twitter or Facebook to receive notice of all the latest updates to this site.