It's a known fact that obesity is a major factor in sleep apnea, and is often listed as one of the main causes. But that appears to be a two-way street. Once a person becomes a victim of sleep apnea, without very strict dietary control, even more pounds pile on.
Sleep apnea causes sleep deprivation, and, of course, the more sleep deprived a person becomes, the less active he or she is. Less exercise causes weight gain, but is that the only reason we gain weight?
The study, conducted by researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health and the Obesity Research Center, suggests a link between the risk of being obese and the number of hours of sleep each night. Other factors, such as physical activity, age and depression, to name a few, made no difference to the weight gain.
It may all have to do with two hormone - leptin, a hormone that suppresses appetite, and Grehlin, a hormone that increases food intake and is thought to play a role in long-term regulation of body weight. Sleep deprivation lowers the levels of leptin and raises levels of grehlin.
How many more reasons do we need before we realize the importance of sleep in our lives. And yet, still we skimp, putting everything else in our lives first. Four hours sleep, five hours sleep, anything less than the seven (as the least) to nine hours sleep we need is asking for trouble. It could lead to a loss of physical and mental health, to poor memory, poor coordination, and now, to weight gain and obesity.
It's time we all wake up - No! Go to sleep for a healthier and slimmer population.
