Studies suggest that chronic sleep loss triggers appetite-regulating hormones, lowering the appetite-control hormone leptin and increasing the appetite-stimulating hormone ghrelin. According to the National Sleep Foundation, insufficient sleep is common in the US, with many Americans getting considerably less than the recommended eight hours of sleep a night. Now research reports that chronic sleep loss can increase the risk of weight gain in women.
The study, presented at the May 19-24, 2006 American Thoracic Society International Conference in San Diego, investigated whether chronic sleep loss is associated with weight gain in women. Researchers at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland analyzed the sleep habits and weight of 68,183 healthy, middle-aged women participating in the Nurses' Health Study, from 1976 to 1986. The participants completed a questionnaire every two years including their sleep habits and weight.
Researchers found that participants who slept for 5 hours per night had a 32 percent higher risk of significant weight gain (gaining 33 or more pounds) and a 15 percent higher risk of obesity, compared with participants who slept 7 hours. Furthermore, participants who slept 6 hours a night had a 12 percent higher risk of significant weight gain and a 6 percent higher risk of obesity. Findings also revealed that participants who slept 5 hours or less per night weighed 5.4 pounds more at the beginning of the study and gained 2.3 more pounds than those who slept 7 hours. In addition, participants who slept 6 hours per night gained 1.6 more pounds than those who slept 7 hours.
"Short sleep duration is an independent predictor of future weight gain and incident obesity," the study authors write. "Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms by which sleep duration may affect weight."
REFERENCES:
1. Augustine J and Glitz B. Sleeping less linked to weight gain. MedicalNewsToday.com, American Thoracic Society News Release, May 25, 2006:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=43970
Posted by Elaine Gavalas on October 12, 2006 03:16 PM
