Can sleep deprivation result in weight gain?

How much sleep you get could have an effect on your waistline. Watch as Dr. Michael Breus discusses how sleep deprivation could result in weight gain.

Researchers say that a lack of sleep has been linked to obesity because sleep affects the hormones that control appetite. Low sleep confuses hunger signals. Sleep deprivation appears to reduce the hormone leptin, which alerts your brain that you're full, and increases the hormone ghrelin, which tells your brain that you're hungry.

Studies show that people who sleep little or suffer from insomnia put on weight. That's because lack of sleep causes the appetite-regulating hormone called leptin to decrease. That's why we tend to feel hungry when we're overtired. An interesting study showed that sleep-deprived people ate 1000 calories more per day than those who were well rested. We should sleep at least 7 hours a night. A regular sleep schedule is very beneficial to losing weight.

Research demonstrates a rise in several chemicals (such as cortisol, grehlin, galanin, and neuropeptide Y) when a person does not get enough sleep. These chemicals all stimulate the appetite and encourage overeating. If you are trying to lose weight, you are doing yourself a disservice if you do not get an adequate night's sleep on a regular basis. Finally, more traffic accidents are caused by sleep deprivation than by alcohol intoxication.

Contrary to popular opinion, those who sleep the least actually weigh the most. We assume that more waking hours means burning more calories, but the reality is we need sleep for our bodies to function optimally. Studies are now showing that less sleep leads to increased hunger the next day. Less sleep also increases fat deposits around your waistline. Basically, your body regulates to burn fewer calories if you sleep less. You feel more fatigued and you have less energy, so you have less inclination to care about prepping meals and packing snacks. When you're rundown, everything is laborious and cumbersome. And typically, you will eat out more and make poorer choices because you're simply too tired to think about healthy food. There is a psychological and physical component to hunger. Additionally, when you're sleep-deprived, your ghrelin (hunger hormone) increases and your leptin (which suppresses your appetite) decreases. So less sleep means you are more vulnerable to hunger pangs and binges.

It is important to note that, when it comes to sleep, everyone is different. Some of us can get away with six hours, while others need nine. It really depends on your age and level of physical exertion. On average, people who slept less than five hours per day were 73 percent more likely to gain weight and become obese. And those with less than six hours of sleep were 27 percent more likely to become obese. With each hour lost, weight gain is greater due to the rising ghrelin and falling leptin associated with sleep deprivation.

In general, when it comes to shedding pounds, you'd be better off sleeping and being rested than killing yourself to get to the gym. I like to suggest people schedule some exercise, but prioritize their precious sleep first.