Proper sleep is essential for maintaining hormonal balance, particularly for hormones associated to hunger and fullness, such ghrelin and leptin.
Increasing ghrelin levels during sleep loss can lead to higher hunger stimulation. This can increase hunger and overeating.
Conversely, little sleep lowers leptin levels, which reduce appetite. This imbalance may enhance calorie-dense food cravings.
Sleep loss can cause insulin resistance, impairing blood sugar regulation. This may raise weight and type 2 diabetes risk.
Research indicates that persons with insufficient sleep consume more calories, especially from snacks and high-fat foods, compared to those with adequate sleep.
Poor sleep quality can lead to late-night eating practices, disrupting circadian rhythms and leading to weight gain.
Sleep insufficiency can lead to loss of energy and motivation for physical activity, resulting in a sedentary lifestyle and probable weight gain.
Insufficient sleep can lead to increased stress chemicals like cortisol, which can lead to belly fat formation.