Sleep and Weight Loss

Posted: 2. December, 2011 0

How much sleep do you need for effective weight loss? 

Sleep and weight loss are closely related as are exercising and diet. About a third of the population is having problems getting a good night’s sleep. Scientists do not yet know exactly why we need sleep, but we all know that we can’t live without it.

So how much sleep do we need? Well, the amount of sleep a person needs depends on several factors, including age. Teenagers need about nine hours while an adult requires about eight hours’ sleep on average every night. However, individual needs can vary.

Experts say that you need to get enough sleep to lose weight. A recent weight-loss study showed that a person who only slept five hours on average every night were 32 percent more likely to gain weight compared to a person who slept seven hours every night. The reason for this is said to depend on several factors. First, a person who sleeps more will move around more during the day and therefore burn more calories. Secondly, many of our hormones are affected by our sleep. Research shows that if we don’t get enough sleep, the body produces less of the hormones leptin and ghrelin.  The lack of these two hormones increases our appetite, which can result in weight gain.

Another important aspect to consider about sleep and weight loss is that the body needs to rest in order to recover. For example, it is crucial to rest after a session in the gym.

Sleep is as important to weight loss as a healthy diet and regular exercise. Many people are struggling to get a good night of sleep. Doctors call it sleeping disorder. Sleep disorders are associated with health issues such as obesity, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and depression. If you are serious about losing weight and are having trouble sleeping, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor for advice.