(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Lack of sleep has been linked to weight gain and is
one of many factors in the obesity epidemic. But a new study finds in order to
prevent future weight gain, adults need to get just the right amount of sleep.
The research reports too little or too much sleep is associated with a risk of
future weight and fat gain in adults.
The study was conducted by researchers from Laval University in Quebec, Canada.
The research included 276 adults between 21 and 64 years of age who were studied
for six years. Researchers compared weight gain in three groups: those who had
short sleep (five to six hours), average sleep (seven to eight hours) and long
sleep (nine to ten hours).
Study authors found short sleepers and long sleepers gained more weight over the
six years than average sleepers. They also found short and long duration
sleepers were 35 percent and 25 percent more likely to experience an 11 pound
weight gain over the six years than average sleepers. The risk of obesity was
also greater for short and long sleepers.
Researchers conclude this study shows both short and long term sleeping times
predict an increased risk of body weight and fat gains in adults. They add it is
recommended adults get between seven and eight hours of sleep each night and
this study gives one more reason for that recommendation.
SOURCE: SLEEP, 2008;31:517-523
