Sleep deprivation and weight gain

By Weight Loss Consultant • Related • Filed Under

Studies have shown that there is definitely a correlation between people that are sleep deprived and weight gain which can lead to obesity. Reports on this subject are mixed due to the fact that obese people are more likely to have respiratory issues and sleep apnea which can lead to sleep deprivation. However, there is also a strong trend among people who do not sleep a regular amount of hours during the night to eat more and gain weight quicker than others who do sleep well.

There are several reasons for this. Our bodies have emotional and psychological clocks that are built into them. The circadian rhythm is the natural rhythm that is built into our brain. This signals us to wind down and sleep when it is dark then arise when the sun shines in the morning.

People that work night shifts on a regular basis and sleep during the day report marked sleep disturbances, headaches, TMJ dysfunction, as well as increased appetite. Our brain and our natural rhythm signal our bodies to eat when awake to keep our energy levels up. This trigger causes people who wake up in the middle of the night want to eat while they are awake.

Food that is eaten in the middle of the night, right before going back to bed to try to sleep, is not digested properly. This leads to increased storage of fats which are then deposited in the blood. They are also deposited around the vital organs of the body, especially on and around the liver.

People who are unable to go to sleep are more likely to eat late at night as well which leads to the same problems that are noted above. Food that is eaten late at night is not digested or metabolized properly into energy which can be used in the body. This also leads to increasing fatty deposits.

As humans we are creatures of habit. Habits can be good or bad. Inability to sleep for the required period of time each night can lead to other detrimental bad behavior . Our body can become usued to waking after a few hours of sleep, then hunger is triggered, we eat, then go back to sleep. This is a very bad habit that can lead to becoming obese very quickly if this habit is not broken. There are over the counter sleep aids that can help with sleep patterns. Prescription medications are available to help with this. Consult with a physician to see if these are an option for you if you have these problems.

Alcohol should be avoided as well. It does tend to make a person relaxed and sleepy, however the high fat content in alcohol make it a poor choice to drink right before bed due to it not being metabolized by the body, and can cause increased fat storage. People who drink alcohol also prior to sleeping tend to wake up after short sleep intervals. Alcohol consumption can lead to increased snoring and sleep apnea if ingested in large amounts which can cause sleep deprivation.

Some natural alternatives are available to help with sleep patterns. These are herbal supplements that are designed to cause relaxation and sleep. These can be used by people to help improve our sleeping patterns. They are not habit forming or addictive in nature so they are usually safe to use for this purpose.

As stated above, we react as to the habits our systems are used to. To improve sleep patterns, try to get to bed at the same time each day and awake at the same time. This helps the body and mind develop new routines that are healthy. A hot bath with some essential oils can help to relax people as well.

Stress has been reported as one of the biggest factors in not sleeping well, so reducing stressors in a person’s life will help relaxation, appetite and sleep patterns as well. Learning to eat small meals at regular intervals has been reported to be the best way to stave off hunger. Also, refrain from eating for at least two hours prior to bedtime will help increase proper digestion and metabolism of food that has been ingested previously.

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