Link between sleep and obesity

Obesity and sleep go hand in hand, it is now demonstrated by many specialists and nutritionists. The modification of carbohydrate metabolism is altered by a decrease in sleep, or even total deprivation. “Leptin” activates its control, by sending information to the brain aimed at using fatty elements, in order to transform them into energy. This hormone is involved in the sleep/obesity process.

The studies

It is proven that sleep plays a major role in brain development, through hormones such as Ghrelin and Leptin, on fatty tissue. It’s all about quantity. That is to say that the production of its hormones, whether important or not, will determine in return, the lack of sleep and by repercussion of the modifications on the quantitative importance of the fatty elements. Lack of sleep will irremediably cause a situation conducive to obesity, by modifying the importance of the hormones necessary for normal regulation of the chemical elements of the body.

Hormones such as Insulin, Cortisol, are also part of the process aimed at regulating the mechanisms concerned.

The human body needs, depending on the individual, a predefined number of hours of sleep. If this dose is not reached, disorders will appear, such as sensitivity, irritability, and many others depending on the metabolism of each individual. The remedy is quite simply, planning your daily dose of sleep necessary for your needs and sticking to it.

Some socio-professional categories are confronted with this kind of problem, such as night workers, drivers, night auditors and many others, the sleep cycle not being respected, it inevitably follows problems of overweight.

The average duration per individual depends on their age and it is considered that adults between 18 and 55 years old require a dose of 7 hours of sleep. On the other hand, for those under 18, the quantity is greater with a need for 9 hours of sleep per night. It follows that in case of lack of sleep, weight gain is inevitable.

Respect their needs

Studies show that if the duration of sleep is less than six hours, the risk of obesity is multiplied by four. As mentioned above, Leptin and Ghrelin are opposites. One Leptin suppresses the feeling of hunger, and a fortiori, Ghrelin stimulates it. It is obvious that if the balance between these two hormones, by respecting the doses of sleep is not well acquired, it results in overweight.

As surprising as it may seem, overconsumption of food and lack of physical activity have less of an effect on weight gain than lack of sleep.