Sleep deprivation has become an epidemic. The National Health Interview Survey shows that: “Nearly 30% of adults reported an average of ≤6 hours of sleep per day in 2005-2007. In 2009, only 31% of high school students reported getting at least 8 hours of sleep on an average school night.”
Sleep is very important because it helps our body remove cellular wastes and toxins, and gives us energy for the day ahead. Lack of sleep has been known to cause weight gain and may even increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
“If you’re having trouble sleeping, please don’t ignore it,” says Dr. Joseph Mercola. “Taking steps to get the proper sleep you need will make your life more enjoyable and your body healthier. What may surprise you is that many of the best ways to get better sleep are straightforward and quite easy for most people to implement.”
According to new research from the University of California, Berkeley, late bedtimes may lead to weight gain.
The research team from Berkeley reviewed research of over 3,300 people and found that for every hour of sleep they lost, they gained 2.1 points of the body mass index.
“These results highlight adolescent bedtimes, not just total sleep time, as a potential target for weight management during the transition to adulthood,” said Lauren Asarnow, lead author of the study and a doctoral student in UC Berkeley’s Golden Bear Sleep and Mood Research Clinic.
Adolescents in the study reported their bedtimes and sleep hours, as researchers calculated their body mass index based on their height and weight. The statistics showed that most adolescents do not get the recommended 9 hours of sleep per night.
The results of the research show that adolescents who go to bed earlier will “set their weight on a healthier course as they emerge into adulthood,” Asarnow said.
The study showing that late bedtimes may lead to weight gain was published in the journal SLEEP.
Note: None of the information in our website is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease. The content on our website is for educational purposes only.
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REFERENCES:
1. “Late Bedtimes Could Lead to Weight Gain.” Berkeley News. UC Berkeley, 01 Oct. 2015. Web. 05 Oct. 2015.
2. “Evidence for a Possible Link between Bedtime and Change in Body Mass Index.” SLEEP. Associated Professional Sleep Societies, n.d. Web. 05 Oct. 2015.
3. “Health Behaviors of Adults: United States, 2005–2007.” CDC. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, n.d. Web. 5 Oct. 2015.
4. “Natural Sleep Aids: Top 5 Tips to Sleep Better.” Mercola.com. Mercola.com, n.d. Web. 05 Oct. 2015.
