Even Mild Sleep Deprivation May Lead to Weight Gain
A study from Columbia University indicates that chronic, mild sleep deprivation can lead to weight gain and metabolic issues. Researchers observed that participants who delayed their bedtime by 90 minutes for six weeks experienced measurable weight increases and reduced physical activity.
Why it matters
This research highlights the significant impact of common sleep habits on long-term public health outcomes like obesity and heart disease.
Because very few people can endure such severe sleep restrictions for more than a few days, though, the practical utility of this research is limited, and it hasn’t necessarily clarified whether more common and milder types of sleep deprivation, such as getting five to six hours of sleep per night, actually lead to weight gain.
This is the backdrop for a recent study by a research team at Columbia University’s Vagelos School of Medicine, which revealed that chronic, mild sleep deprivation—which is estimated to affect about 30 percent of adults—can lead to weight gain.
“Our study shows that getting adequate sleep may help reduce the risk of weight gain and obesity-related conditions like heart disease and diabetes,” explained Marie-Pierre St-Onge, a professor at Columbia University specializing in nutritional medicine, in a release.
Less Sleep, More Weight
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in