Forget about the latest celeb diet, forget about killing yourself in the gym and forget about denying yourself the odd sweet treat – when it comes to maintaining a healthy weight all we really need is a good night’s sleep.
The New York times reports that researchers believe the link between sleep and weight gain could be stronger than previously thought.
Before, researchers knew that adults who sleep less than five or six hours a night are at a higher risk of being overweight. Now, however, researchers from the University of Colorado have discovered that losing just a few hours of sleep, a few nights in a row can lead to immediate weight gain.
Boffins decided to study 16 healthy men and women for a two-week experiment that tracked their sleeping and eating habits. During the first week of the study, half of the volunteers were allowed to sleep for nine hours every night, while the other half was asked to stay up until midnight and then sleep for five hours. Everyone was given unlimited access to food. During the second week of the study, the groups were switched.
A lack of sleep caused volunteers to eat differently and make poorer food choices
Researchers quickly discovered that staying up late and getting five hours of sleep increased a person’s metabolism, making them burn an extra 111 calories a day. However, they also ended up eating far more than the people who got nine hours of sleep. By the end of the first week, the five-hour-sleepers had gained an average of about two pounds.
Kenneth Wright, the director of the sleep laboratory at the university, said that part of the change was down to our behaviour. Staying up late and not getting enough sleep caused people to eat different foods than they normally would.
“We found that when people weren’t getting enough sleep they overate carbohydrates,” said Mr Wright.
“They ate more food, and when they ate food also changed. They ate a smaller breakfast and they ate a lot more after dinner,” he added.
Dr Matthew Brady, one of the senior authors of the study said that the team was “surprised” at how profound the effects of a lack of sleep were on the subjects.
He said that while better sleep would not solve the obesity problem, paying more attention to sleep habits would probably help people manage their weight better.
We don’t know about you but we think we’ll hit the hay a little earlier than usual tonight…
