The impact of sleep deprivation on weight

The lack of sleep is believed to influence our hormones and behaviour in the following ways:

• Imbalance of the hormones that regulate hunger
• Consumption of food to reduce fatigue
• More opportunities to eat
• More sedentary lifestyle
• Lower blood sugar levels

Researchers in Quebec analyzed the risk of obesity in 283 subjects over a six-year period. They found that sleep deprivation alone triples the risk of obesity, an increase comparable to that produced by inactivity and a fat-rich diet combined [2].

Hunger and satiety are both governed by hormones. Several studies have suggested that a lack of sleep causes an increase in ghrelin, the hormone that triggers hunger, as well as a decrease in leptin, the hormone that inhibits it [8]. In addition, a lack of sleep leads to an increase in the level of cortisol, the stress hormone, which tends to increase the appetite, especially the craving for sugar. Therefore, people may be inclined to consume more calories when they have not had enough sleep [8, 9]. A meta-analysis conducted in 2017 revealed that, on average, a sleep-deprived person consumes 400 more calories than someone who is well rested [4]. At such a rate, the excess caloric intake would translate into an estimated weight gain of close to 18 kilograms (40 pounds) per year.

Studies of the diets of sleep-deprived people reveal that they tend to favour foods high in fat over those high in protein [6]. This is not surprising when we consider that eating stimulates the secretion of orexin, the hormone that reduces fatigue. Orexin is associated with reward-driven eating behaviour in which food is not eaten to satisfy hunger but to satisfy an emotional or psychological need. This is believed to result in poor impulse control, which increases the tendency to consume more calories than necessary [8]. In children, sleep deprivation is associated with the increased consumption of unhealthy foods and soft drinks at the expense of fruits and vegetables [11].

Increased wakefulness due to short periods of sleep increases the opportunities to eat and promotes the tendency to snack. Unfortunately, the calories burned during the waking hours do not compensate for the calories ingested due to fatigue and changes in the metabolism.

The fatigue associated with a lack of sleep may contribute to reduced physical activity and an increase in sedentary behaviour such as watching television. However, studies have not been able to demonstrate these factors with any consistency [8].

Long hours of wakefulness are associated with a slight drop in blood sugar, which in turn stimulates the secretion of ghrelin, the hormone that triggers hunger.

Beware of preconceived notions: everyone can be affected by sleep apnea, regardless of their weight. However, obesity remains the main risk factor. The distribution of fat in the neck, pharynx and stomach (abdomen) can block the passage of air in the upper respiratory tract (nose, throat) during the night and cause respiratory arrest, or sleep apnea. Fatigue and the resulting metabolic disturbances are likely to maintain the vicious circle of sleep deprivation and weight gain.

Making changes to your lifestyle is the best way to regain a healthy body weight. Fortunately, since the quality of sleep generally improves when sleep apnea is treated properly, it becomes easier to make the adjustments.

Read more: The Challenges of Healthy nutrition

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