Flourish - eMag - Feb 25 - Flipbook - Page 44
Not getting enough
sleep and obesity
It is believed that people are sleeping less than before. Sleep
duration has declined in recent decades worldwide, partly
due to changing work schedules and the increase in sedentary
jobs that involve little to no physical activity.
Research shows that self-reported short sleep duration (less
than seven hours daily) is associated with a higher risk of
obesity. Shortened sleep disrupts hormones that regulate
food intake, namely ghrelin and leptin.
Changes in sleep patterns can also affect areas of the brain
responsible for reward processing, potentially leading to
food-seeking as a reward behaviour.
Additionally, shorter sleep duration and longer waking hours
provide more opportunities to eat, including late-night
snacking. However, the body metabolises food less effectively
at night.
Sleep deprivation also increases fatigue, promoting a
sedentary lifestyle and reducing motivation for exercise and
healthy food choices.
