Lack of Sleep May Spur Overeating

When you woke up this morning, did you want to get out bed?

Or did you have to remind yourself that sleeping in today was not an option?

Too many of us are not getting enough sleep. Indeed, about 28 percent of adults report sleeping six hours or less at night, according to researchers from the Mayo Clinic.

I can’t help but wonder if that’s not contributing to the obesity epidemic our country suffers. It turns out that losing just 80 minutes of sleep at night can lead some folks to eat more than 500 additional calories the next day, according to the researchers who presented their findings during a scientific session for the American Heart Association.

Hmmm…at that rate, a person could eat enough additional calories – 3,500 – to gain one pound in seven days.

Yikes.

On the other hand, this is good news for people trying to lose weight. If you’ve ever questioned why you’re always hungry or why you want to eat a second breakfast, it might be just that you’re not getting enough sleep.

It could be as simple as going to bed earlier. Or maybe you need to stop watching TV in bed or reading. Sleep experts recommend using the bed just for sleep.

That’s advice you can sleep on.

Alice Warchol is a freelance health blog writer and fitness instructor.

Source: American Heart Association news release

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