Obesity and Sleep

I was reading a book at the gym this week which i wasn't allowed to take, about obesity and sleep, which i found really interesting! I did some research on the web today about it and this was basically what the book was telling me! I found this really interesting, I hope you guys do too!

Obesity and Sleep

A recent study reveals that the number of hours slept has an influence on the risk of obesity. The less we sleep, the more at risk we are. This fact could explain why people who suffer from sleep apnea, a known thief of sleep, tend to gain weight at an above normal rate.

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.

-Statistics show that people who sleep 7-8 hours a night are far less likely to be obese than those who sleep 4-5 hours a night. Sleep deprivation causes an increase in body levels of the hormone grehlin and a decrease in body levels of the hormone leptin. Grehlin increases appetite while leptin decreases appetite. So, those who sleep less are likely to have a stronger appetite and consequently eat much more.
-Sleeping less can cause poor food choices. We may feel too tired to cook a wholesome meal or lack the motivation to stick to a healthy eating plan. When we are tired it is easy to reach for quick and comforting foods, which are likely to be full of fat and sugar.

-The body needs sleep for muscle growth and repair to occur, as well as for recovery of muscles after a workout. Repair and growth occur during rest and rely on routine sleep patterns.

-Growth hormone is secreted in the greatest amounts during sleep. Growth hormone is not only beneficial for those who wish to increase their muscle mass, but for anyone concerned with their weight and body composition. Growth hormone plays a role in metabolizing protein, fats, and carbohydrates.

-A lack of sleep reduces the body's ability to process and store energy from the food we eat, including properly metabolizing carbohydrates.

-Sleep deprivation can increase blood levels of the hormone cortisol. Prolonged high levels of cortisol can lead to breakdown of muscle tissue, an increase in stored abdominal fat, weakened immune system, and can affect thyroid function.

-If you have not slept well you may be lacking in coordination. A lack of sleep can have similar affects on the body as alcohol in terms of coordination and reaction time. This could cause an increased risk of injury when working out.

-Lack of sleep over an extended period can cause increased blood glucose levels and may increase the risk of diabetes. Increased blood glucose levels can lead to overproduction of insulin, which can then cause the body to store more fat.

-Performance in sports may be hampered by inadequate sleep because of the body's inability to metabolize glucose for fuel and recover from previous workouts.

-If you are awake longer you are probably going to eat more. Burning more calories by being awake instead of asleep does not make up for the extra calories consumed in those extra hours.