Is there a relationship between sleep deprivation and weight gain?
The risk of gaining weight increases as the number of hours a person sleeps each night decreases. If you sleep less than six hours a night, you are 50 percent more likely to become obese than someone who is sleeping seven to eight hours a night. Two hormones play a role in weight management. Leptin is associated with appetite control and ghrelin has been identified as an appetite stimulant. During sleep deprivation, leptin levels fall and ghrelin levels rise, which leads to an increased appetite. Q: What are some tips I can follow to help me get a better night’s sleep? A: I tell patients that good “sleep hygiene” is just as important as diet and exercise: — Sleep in a quiet and dark environment and set the thermostat at a slightly cooler temperature — Don’t allow pets in the bed — No reading, eating or watching TV in bed — Don’t watch the clock — Set a “wind down” time prior to going to bed — Don’t take over the counter sleep aids, as these can disrupt sleep stages Instead, try d
