We all know that good quality sleep and limited TV time is important for young children’s development. Recently published US research paper looked at the link between early childhood routines and self-regulation and their relationship with weight problems in later years.

The study evaluated three household routines: regular bedtime, regular mealtime and television and video watching limited to an hour or less daily. Parents were asked to evaluate their children’s self-regulation when they were 3 years old. Researchers then studied children’s routines and self-regulation ability in relation to their levels of obesity at 11 years old.

When children were 3 years old, 41% of them had a regular bedtime, 47% had a regular mealtime and 23% were limited to an hour or less daily of TV and videos. Results reported at 11 years old found about 6% of children obese.

You can read more about this study here.