Confirmed link between poor sleep and excess weight

Short and unstable sleep can significantly increase the risk of developing obesity, according to specialists from Fujian Medical University. The results of the study are published in the journal BMC Public Health.

Scientists analyzed health data from 4,540 volunteers with an average age of 50.5 years. Researchers used materials from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The scientific work evaluated sleep duration, daytime sleepiness, and problems with falling asleep. Based on these data, participants were divided into three groups: those with healthy, intermediate, and unhealthy sleep patterns.

It was found that people with poor sleep patterns had a 41% higher probability of developing obesity compared to those who rested well. This effect persisted regardless of gender, age, education level, and other factors. The risk of obesity increased not only with insufficient night sleep but also in people with irregular schedules and the habit of going to bed late.

Scientists remind that the sleep-wake cycle directly affects metabolism. Disruption of circadian rhythms can affect energy expenditure, metabolism function, and hormones that regulate appetite. In particular, previous studies have shown that reducing sleep from 10 to four hours increases the level of ghrelin (hunger hormone) by 28% and decreases the level of leptin (satiety hormone) by 18%.