Lack of sleep and obesity

[watervole]

This isn't actually very recent news, but I was reminded of it by a friend who linked to an article in the Guardian showing that the link between obesity and lack of exercise isn't as clear cut as often assumed.

I became very aware of the link between lack of sleep and obesity through having two friends who suffered from sleep apnea - that's a nasty condition that keeps waking you up in the night.  Obesity makes sleep apnea worse - but - and it's a big but - sleep apnea also makes the obesity worse, setting up a vicious circle that is staggeringly difficult to break out of.

There seems to be a connection with hormones.  In a nutshell, if you don't get enough sleep, it affects the hormones that regulate appetite.

So, if you have a weight problem, try going to bed an hour or two earlier.  You may find it makes a surprising difference.

There's also a connection between lack of sleep and depression  It used to be thought that lack of sleep was  a symptom of depression.  It now seems likely that it's another of those circles and that lack of sleep can actually help cause depression.

In the case of depression, I suspect it's not only necessary to get more sleep, but to try and find techniques to relax and unwind before going to sleep.

(One of the many reasons I enjoy cross stitch is that it's a very good way of mentally relaxing in the last half hour before going to bed.  I'd recommend it to anyone)

Comments

[linda-joyce.livejournal.com]

This is fascinating, I am an obese, insomniac depressive and find it very difficult to lose weight. Until recently that is, I have no idea why but I am sleeping better than I have done in years and although I'm not dieting as such I have lost a little weight. I no longer feel hungry all the time so eat less.

[watervole.livejournal.com]

Fascinating! It sounds like you're a living example that it works.

I'd do all you can to keep up the good sleep.

my best tips are half an hour of cross-stitch followed by ten mins of meditation before bed and to aim to be in bed by 10:30.

[linda-joyce.livejournal.com]

The weird thing is the better sleep started when I was given a dream catcher and told to hang it over my window. But that also was about 2 weeks after I gave up chocolate because I discovered it activated my IBS so the reduction in whatever the chemical constituents of chocolate are may have more to do with the good sleep than the dream catcher. All so looking back I started putting on weight and sleeping less at the same time when I started my O levels and the periods I have lost weight have been times of zero stress. Why didn't the scientist realise this 40 years ago?!

[kat-erine.livejournal.com]

I enjoy cross stitch but I can't do it before sleeping as it needs more concentration than I have at that point. If I'm not reading something light enough I usually end up with a half hour non taxing comedy - something like Scrubs which I can enjoy but doesn't demand brain power.
Unless I'm stressed of course, in which case something like Scrubs is no good as my mind wanders and it has to be something with more plot such as Eureka.