Does not enough sleep make you fat?
Researchers from Case Western University in Ohio have found that women who sleep five or fewer hours per night are much more likely to put on 33 pounds over a 16 year period. That's 30% more added weight than women who regularly slept at least 7 hours per night. The kicker was that sleep patterns were found to have a greater influence on women's long term weight than eating patterns or physical activity. This phenomenon is due to the fact that a lack of sleep throws off our hormones that regulate appetite. The message here: A good night's sleep helps you keep the weight off, and not enough sleep can possibly interfere with weight loss!
2 Comments:
dear dr. friedman,
this is an interesting post. i don't doubt that sleep is important, but it seems as if each of us needs different amounts of it. my ceo, for example -- a woman -- is as slender as bamboo, and yet only sleeps 4 hours a night. how is the need for sleep quantified?
thanks, gwen
6/6/06 9:46 AM
Hi Gwen,
Many people have grown accustomed to less than 7 hours of sleep per night. They may even be able to function perfectly well with less sleep. However, because sleep gives the body a chance to rest and recharge, and because we release immune system-related hormones that scavenge through and clean the body while we sleep, I must still strongly advise at least 7-8 hours per night. Think of it this way-- you can only drive a car so hard and so fast before it breaks down or runs out of gas. Better to be on the safe side and give yourself the rest you deserve!
6/6/06 4:12 PM
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