Sleep sufferers more likely to be overweight

By Elizabeth Heathcote  on Monday 18 May 2009

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A new study confirms that people who don't get enough sleep are much more likely to be overweight.

The study of nurses in the US showed that those who slept for a shorter time had an average body mass index of 28.3, which is considered overweight, while 'long sleepers' had an average BMI of 24.5, which is considered healthy.

Previous research has shown that people who sleep less than seven hours a night are 75% more likely to be obese.

Dr Eliasson, of the Integrative Cardiac Health Project at Walter Reed Army Medical Centre, Washington DC, who led the project, says further research is needed to fully understand the link.

He agrees with other scientists, who believe that lack of sleep disrupts hormone balance, which in turn affects appetite, reports the Telegraph.

It is also possible that stress may be the common link, disrupting sleep, and separately encouraging excessive "stress eating", says Dr Elliasson.

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Monday 18 May 2009

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I am a male, 191cm tall and weigh 73 kg. My absolute maximum sleep length is 6 hours. Obviously this formula is either flawed or does not apply accross the board.

Alan Shepherd
Comment by Alan Shepherd on May 18 14:13

The research is only showing a trend - not saying that it is a 100% accurate rule.
Comment by AC on May 18 15:23

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