Lack of Sleep Can Increase Your Waistline

Lack of sleep raises the threat of weight problems by combined effects on energy metabolism. This study, presented on the European Congress of Endocrinology in Lisbon, will spotlight how disrupted sleep patterns, a common practice in modern homes, can predispose to weight gain, by affecting a person's urge for eating and responses to food and physical activity

An increasing number of individuals report diminished satisfactory sleep and a number of studies have correlated lack of sleep with weight gain. The underlying rationale of extended obesity risk from sleep disruption is uncertain however may relate to alterations in urge for food, metabolism, motivation, bodily activity or a combination of factors.

Dr Christian Benedict from Uppsala University, Sweden and his group have performed a number of human researchers to investigate how sleep loss may have an impact on energy metabolism. These human studies have measured and imaged behavioural, physiological and biochemical responses to meals following acute sleep deprivation. The behavioural data expose that metabolically healthy, sleep-deprived people pick bigger meals portions, search more calories, show off signs of accelerated food-associated impulsivity, experience more pleasure from meals, and give out less energy.

The group's physiological reviews point out that sleep loss shifts the hormonal balance from hormones that promote fullness (satiety), similar to GLP-1, to those that promote hunger, equivalent to ghrelin. Sleep limit additionally accelerated levels of endocannabinoids, which is known to have appetite-enhancing effects. Additional work from Dr Benedict's group indicates that acute sleep loss alters the balance of intestine microorganisms, which has been broadly implicated as key for keeping a healthy metabolism. The identical study also discovered decreased sensitivity to insulin after sleep loss.

Dr. Christian Benedict further remarks, Since lack of sleep is such a common feature of modern life, these studies show it is no surprise that metabolic disorders, such as obesity are also on the rise.

Despite the fact that Dr. Benedict's work has shed light on how brief intervals of sleep loss can have an effect on energy metabolism, longer-time study reports are wanted to validate these findings. The team at the moment is investigating longer-term effects and also whether or not extending sleep in ordinary short sleepers can fix these variations in appetite and energy metabolism.

Dr Christian Benedict further comments, My studies suggest that sleep loss favours weight gain in humans. It may also be concluded that improving sleep could be a promising lifestyle intervention to reduce the risk of future weight gain.

To know more about the latest obesity research and news, feel free to read our other articles on this site.