The Close Link Between Sleep, the Scale

By Rheyanne Weaver HERWriter

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The scale reads: 180. You wonder how you went from 150 to 165 to 180 pounds in only three years. Weight gain can creep up on you, just like the gradual fatigue that can take over your life after a period of sleepless nights.

People tend to blame weight gain on only diet and lack of exercise, but there can be so many other factors involved.

For example, insomnia, a sleep disorder, can cause weight gain (or at least be associated with it).

In one recent study at UCLA’s Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, researchers found two hormones that regulate the balance of energy in the body, which helps the body determine hunger and satiation. However, chronic insomnia can interfere with one of the hormones and therefore mess up the body’s determination of whether you’re full or hungry.

Another study is just for the ladies, though not necessarily about insomnia. It focuses on women who sleep five hours or less (but insomnia would also fit into that category). It found that women who sleep less on average weigh more than those who sleep more. The women who slept less also ate less and exercised at a rate that didn’t seem to affect weight gain. Therefore, hormones seem to be involved.

Other conclusions that need further study include changes in the number of calories burnt when resting and the fact that those who sleep less might move around less throughout the day (not related to actual exercise).

Yet another study found that “sleep deprivation doubles risks of obesity in both children and adults.” Again, this is not directly related to insomnia, but small amounts of sleep are common in insomnia. The study points out what others have suggested: that hormones can be affected and can cause an increase in appetite due to the sleep deprivation.

Although all this research points to getting a decent amount of sleep, sometimes that is not possible. For example, some careers and schooling require long hours that leave little time for chores and other activities. Therefore, extra duties are completed when a person should be sleeping.

Overall, people need to consider their health and career and education and decide which is more important. Don’t decide to put off your health, or it will be that much harder to get back later on. If you can’t prioritize time now for sleep, exercise and healthy eating, then when will you? Start planning now.

As far as sleep goes, it depends on the age and individual for how much sleep is needed per night. For adults, seven to nine hours should be sufficient, according to the National Sleep Foundation. If you don’t feel rested after seven to nine hours of sleep, try different variations gradually and see a doctor for more help.

Try not to eat and drink certain foods and liquids right before bed, along with other bad habits. If you can’t fall asleep or stay asleep and this is affecting you negatively (like causing fatigue), then it might be time to see a doctor.

Sources:
http://www.semel.ucla.edu/news/09/mar/3/bad-news-insomniacs-hunger-hormones-affected-poor-sleep

http://psychcentral.com/news/2009/03/30/hormones-link-insomnia-and-weight-gain/5037.html

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/05/060529082903.htm

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/07/060713081140.htm

http://www.sleepfoundation.org/article/how-sleep-works/how-much-sleep-do-we-really-need

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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.