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Losing just 80 minutes of sleep leads to weight gain

Cutting sleep by 80 minutes nightly results in 1 pound gain in 6 weeks

1Sleep-weight connection

Columbia University research revealed adults who slept just 80 minutes less nightly gained an average of 1 pound over 6 weeks while becoming more sedentary. These findings highlight sleep's crucial role in weight management and obesity prevention.

2Moderate sleep reduction

Unlike previous extreme sleep deprivation studies, this research examined mild sleep loss common among people getting 5-6 hours nightly. The 95-participant study showed measurable metabolic impacts from just 90 minutes of reduced sleep duration.

3Increased inactivity

During sleep restriction, participants spent 17 more sedentary minutes daily on average, with postmenopausal women and men showing nearly 30 minutes more inactivity. Researchers note prolonged sitting elevates chronic disease risks.

4Metabolic consequences

Earlier studies found women losing 80 minutes of nightly sleep developed increased insulin resistance after 6 weeks. Mild sleep restriction also caused inflammatory cell influx in hearts of cardiovascular risk patients.

5Long-term implications

Researchers emphasize that while a 1-pound gain in 6 weeks seems modest, extrapolated over a year it could become clinically significant. Sleep loss consistently shows links to increased type 2 diabetes and heart disease risks.

6Sleep for healthy living

The study demonstrates that focusing solely on diet and exercise for weight control is insufficient. Adequate sleep emerges as critical in obesity prevention. Researchers now plan to examine health impacts of improving sleep quality in chronic sleep-deprived individuals.

Original article: Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily — Uyku kaybı kilo alımına yol açıyor