Confirmed link between poor sleep and excess weight

Poor sleep increases obesity risk by 41%, Chinese scientists find

Specialists from Fujian Medical University have discovered a concerning link between sleep quality and excess weight. According to a study published in the journal BMC Public Health, people with disrupted sleep patterns are significantly more likely to suffer from obesity.

The large-scale study involved 4,540 volunteers with an average age of 50.5 years. Scientists used data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, assessing participants' sleep duration, daytime drowsiness, and problems falling asleep. Based on these indicators, volunteers were divided into three categories: those with healthy, intermediate, and unhealthy sleep patterns.

The results were impressive: people with disrupted sleep patterns had a 41% higher probability of developing obesity compared to those who slept well. Notably, this pattern persisted regardless of gender, age, education, and other factors. The risk of obesity increased not only with insufficient night sleep but also among those who had irregular schedules or habits of going to bed late.

Researchers emphasize that the sleep-wake cycle directly affects metabolism. Disruption of circadian rhythms negatively impacts energy expenditure, metabolic function, and hormones that control appetite. Previous studies have shown that reducing sleep from 10 to four hours leads to a 28% increase in ghrelin (hunger hormone) levels and an 18% decrease in leptin (satiety hormone).