Sleeping 90 Minutes Less Per Night Linked to Weight Gain, Sedentary Habits

Cutting sleep by just 90 minutes a night for six weeks can lead to weight gain and increased sedentary behavior, according to a new study. The research, involving 95 adults who typically slept seven to eight hours nightly, found participants gained an average of half a kilogram and spent about 17 minutes more per day in sedentary activities.

This effect was more pronounced in men and menopausal women, who increased their sedentary time by an average of 30 minutes daily. The findings are significant because they reflect the real-world consequences of chronic, moderate sleep deprivation, a situation affecting roughly 30% of adults, unlike previous short-term laboratory studies with more severe sleep restrictions.

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This is an experiment closer to real life, better reflecting what we observe in practice and conveying a message that can be directly applied to what people experience in their daily lives.

"This is an experiment closer to real life, better reflecting what we observe in practice and conveying a message that can be directly applied to what people experience in their daily lives," said lead author Marie-Pierre St-Onge, a professor of nutritional medicine at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Previous research by St-Onge's team has also linked reduced sleep duration to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular conditions in certain individuals.

Jean-Philippe Chaput, a senior researcher at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario specializing in sleep health and obesity, noted the study's importance in demonstrating that insufficient sleep not only correlates with excess weight but can actively cause weight gain. The study reinforces the connection between poor sleep, sedentary lifestyles, and increased risks of chronic diseases.

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This study is important because it demonstrates not only that lack of sleep is associated with excess weight, but also that it can actually cause weight gain.