Lack of Adequate Sleep Linked to Weight Gain Among Teens

Not sleeping for at least eight hours every night has been linked with weight gain among teenagers, a new study conducted by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine reveals. Lead researcher Lata Casturi said that those teens who do not get the right amount of sleep every night are tired and stressed out during the day and suggested that they may also consume more calories compared to those who sleep soundly.

The researchers said that the lack of sleep affect the hormones leptin and ghrelin, which control the feelings of hunger and fullness. When the body does not get the right amount of sleep, then the levels of leptin goes down and the person does not feel full even after eating and thus may overeat.

“When you don’t get enough sleep, it drives leptin levels down, which means you don’t feel as satisfied after you eat. Lack of sleep also causes ghrelin levels to rise, which means your appetite is stimulated, so you want more food. The two factors combined can set the stage for overeating, which, in turn, may lead to weight gain”, co-author, Radha Rao said.

Source-Medindia