Adults who don't get enough sleep are more likely to be overweight and obese than those who sleep well, and their waistlines are larger, says a study from the U.K.'s University of Leeds. In addition, those who sleep poorly also have poorer metabolic health, which can lead to Type 2 diabetes.
Researchers found that people who slept an average of six hours a night had waistlines that were more than an inch larger than those who got nine hours of sleep a night. The shorter sleepers also weighed more.
"The number of people with obesity worldwide has more than doubled since 1980," said Leeds researcher Greg Potter. "Obesity contributes to the development of many diseases, most notably Type 2 diabetes. Understanding why people gain weight has crucial implications for public health."
Shorter sleep was also linked to reduced levels of HDL cholesterol in the participants' blood — another factor that can cause health problems. HDL cholesterol is "good" cholesterol that helps remove "bad" fat from circulation and protects against conditions such as heart disease.
"Because we found that adults who reported sleeping less than their peers were more likely to be overweight or obese, our findings highlight the importance of getting enough sleep," said lead researcher Dr. Laura Hardie. "How much sleep we need differs between people, but the current consensus is that seven to nine hours is best for most adults."
No comments:
Post a Comment