Less sleep, more weight: dangers you need to know now

Cutting sleep by just 1.5 hours per night can lead to significant weight gain and increased sedentary behavior in adults at elevated cardiometabolic risk, a study from Columbia University reveals. Over a six-week period, participants who reduced their sleep gained approximately half a kilogram and spent more time being inactive.

The research, published by the American College of Physicians, involved two distinct sleep conditions: participants followed their usual sleep schedule for six weeks, followed by six weeks where they were instructed to delay their bedtime by about 90 minutes. Sleep levels and activity were monitored using wrist-worn devices, alongside changes in body weight, waist circumference, body composition, and appetite-regulating hormones.

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the findings suggest that strategies to promote adequate sleep duration should be incorporated into weight management and cardiometabolic disease prevention programs.

The findings indicate that those who slept less became more sedentary, with an average increase in inactivity of 17 minutes per day. This is particularly concerning as higher levels of sedentary behavior are linked to an increased risk of chronic diseases. The study also noted that women at higher cardiometabolic risk who reduced their sleep showed increased insulin resistance, a key factor for type 2 diabetes, with effects being more pronounced in postmenopausal women.

Furthermore, the research observed an influx of inflammatory cells in the heart among both men and women with elevated cardiac risk following mild sleep restriction. While more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms linking sleep restriction to weight gain, the current findings strongly suggest that insufficient sleep elevates the risk of developing related health conditions.

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Although more research is needed to better understand how sleep restriction leads to weight gain, all our findings suggest that lack of sleep increases the risk of developing related conditions.