Less Sleep Can Equal More Weight Gain

Lack of sleep has become a global problem in the past
decade. Everywhere around the world people are sleeping
less. This trend has increased in the recent years
starting a viscious cycle of sleep deprivation. Many
shrug off lack of sleep and say they will only become
irratible. Lack of sleep can also play a role in
weight gain.

Did you know that your hormones play a role in your weight
loss and gain? The hormones called Ghrelin and Leptin are
the hormones that can either cause you to gain or lose
weight. Ghrelin stimulates your appetite while leptin
helps to control your appetite. Leptin is your friend as
it tells you when you are full.

When you are deprived of sleep, researchers have found that
the production of ghrelin and leptin are affected, and not
in a good way! Researchers concluded that a sleep deficit
leads to elevated levels of ghrelin in your system. So,
when you are not getting enough sleep, your body actually
responds by telling you that you are hungrier.

Lack of sleep will make you feel tired and ravenous. This
is a result of the decrease of amount of leptin in your
system. This turns into a cylce that leads to the less
sleep means the more apt you are to gain weight.

If the production of ghrelin and leptin aren't convincing,
then consider this: there is a correlation between obesity
and sleep deprivation according to researchers at Stanford
University and the University of Wisconsin. According to
polls, 63% of Americans declare that they are not getting a
full 8 hours of sleep every night. Amazingly, 65% of
Americans are considered overweight or obese (Source:
usatoday.com, 12/06/2004). Coincidence? Perhaps.

How can lack of sleep add pounds to your waistline. Don't
you burn more calories while you are awake? Yes, you do
burn more calories while awake then sleeping. However,
the you often eat sugary snack foods when you could be
sleeping. These calories overshadow the fact that you
are awake. This is due to the decrease of leptin in
your system.

Also take into account that we burn 2/3 of all calories
while we are resting. Therefore, only 1/3 of our calories
are burned during physical activity and exercise. So
just because you are awake doesn't necessarily mean you
are burning more calories. It depends on each person and
their activity levels.

No, most of us do not believe that sleep deprivation has
anything to do with our weight. But, with the majority of
Americans overweight and with a growing amount of research
illustrating the link between obesity and sleep
deprivation, people should start making shut eye a
priority.



Peter Kilpton runs a very interesting website at
Regarding Sleep,
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