A new study released by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine links obesity in teenagers to reduced sleep caused by excessive use of technology and caffeine.

Researchers studied a group of 320 children, gathering data on nutrition and physical activity habits. Results showed that those who slept less consumed more caffeine and spent more time on screen-based activities ― like television, video games, Internet, and computer use. In addition, the study found that the more hours of screen time children averaged, the more caffeine they consumed.

Surprised? I’m not. The coffee-drinkers are getting younger every year. And with the popularity of soft drinks, why wouldn’t young people suffer from the same maladies that plague their caffeine-dependent parents?

I’m hoping this study serves as a wake-up call for parents everywhere. According to the National Institutes of Health, 17% of U.S. adolescents are overweight, and all trends point towards a continuing increase. The implications of this health crisis are staggering.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than 1 to 2 hours of quality television or video games per day for children and adolescents, and no screen time for children under the age of 2. They also recommend keeping televisions, video games, and computers out of children’s bedrooms. And experts agree that children need at least 1 hour of vigorous exercise every day for good health.

I may ruffle a few feathers here, but speaking of parents, where were they when all of this caffeine-chugging, screen-time was happening? The average age of the subjects was 13.3 years, and while these young teens may in the throes of asserting their independence, they have no less of a need for parental guidance.

A 13-year-old doesn’t have money to spend on caffeine unless someone provides it, and can’t stay up until 1:00 a.m. on a school night unless someone allows it. Yes, adolescents need to take gradual steps to independence, but it’s the job of the parent to offer choices while providing healthy boundaries. As parents, we have to make unpopular decisions when it’s in the best interest of our children.

But we don’t have to go it alone – resources are plentiful in the community and in the workplace to support parents in their efforts to both model and facilitate healthy lifestyles. Employers can play a key role in linking parents with these resources by leveraging the expertise of employee assistance and health management programs, and by getting the message out.

Adults perform better and feel better when they get plenty of good-quality sleep, and children and teens are no different ― except for the fact that they often need more sleep. Parents have the power ― and the responsibility ― to instill health habits in their children that will positively impact the length and quality of their lives. This study underscores the imperative for greater parental supervision over the screen-time, nutrition, physical activity, and sleep habits of their children.