Can Lack of Sleep Lead to Obesity?

Obesity is equivalent to having a weight that is 20% more than the normal and is usually rampant in countries where there is an abundance in food supply and decreased physical activities due to automation. It is a serious threat in someone’s health because it can eventually cause a number of other health complications like heart attack, and even influence the very life expectancy of a person. Aside from that, it is simply undesirable and inconvenient for someone to become overweight. But the conscious overindulgence in food may not be the only underlying cause of this public dilemma.

It has been long known to us through experience that small amount of sleep can leave us feeling tired, thus making us less productive and less attentive the next day. Now, it is found that sleep deprivation can also have a hand in the growing number of overweight people. A simple connection might be, when someone has sleep problems and does not get enough eye shut, he or she tends to have little motivation or energy for exercise.

Having frequent sleeplessness is shown to disrupt metabolism and hormone levels. Adults who get insufficient sleep during the night have hormone levels different than normal. Studies show that those who have deprived sleep has increased ghrelin levels, an appetite stimulant, while leptin levels, needed for appetite control, are reduced. Certain research even shows that short-sleepers tend to have increased appetite because of the decreased leptin production in their bodies. And because the manifestations of sleep, hunger, and fatigue are almost alike, people confuse them sometimes – eating when they’re in fact sleepy.

Also, it has been found that the body’s ability to process blood sugar has been significantly reduced. So to keep blood sugar in normal levels, people who sleep inadequately should make 30% more insulin.

But those studies do not clearly identify if obesity causes sleep deprivation or sleep deprivation is the one really causing obesity. There are statistics showing that people who only sleep below 8 hours have increasing weight patterns while more than 70% of adults who are overweight are found to have some sort of sleep problems. Therefore, it is also possible that obesity can cause sleep problems. Scientific evidence of weight loss due to extending sleep hours should first be available to help resolve this issue.

The good news is, there still things that people can do for improving their sleep and avoiding obesity. One is to avoid processed or fast foods rich in fats or carbohydrates and choose healthier options instead. Nothing beats a diet packed with vegetables, fruits and fish for energy and overall nutrient requirements of the body.

Another trick is to begin a regular exercise habit which will improve one’s sleep quality. At the end of the day, having a balanced energy intake and expenditure is plays a major role in maintaining a fit and healthy body. However, it is not advisable to do your exercise routines a few hours before sleeping for this will render your body more alert, making it hard for you to fall asleep . The recommended hours of sleep for children 3 to 10 years old is 10-13 while those who are already on their teens and adulthood should at least get 8 hours of sleep.