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Obesity and Sleep Disturbances

shine043

Updated: May 22, 2024


67% of adults and 25% of children in Australia are obese or overweight.


Weight loss is essential for those overweight or obese individuals to restore their health, as obesity is associated with many other debilitating conditions such as joint pain and osteoarthritis, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, mental health issues and sleep disturbances.


Those who are overweight or obese are at increased risk of less sleep (less than 6 hours per night) and poor sleep quality. Lack of sleep is also a contributing factor to weight gain. Therefore, it is an ongoing cycle.


A decrease in sleep causes an increase in ghrelin, the hunger hormone. Studies have shown that just two days of decreased sleep can significantly increase appetite for calorie-dense foods. Poor sleep can cause a loss of dietary regulation, increased snacking and a preference for nutrient-poor, carbohydrate-rich, and high-calorie foods.


Obesity can also cause issues in sleep due to individuals having obstructive sleep apnoea or reflux, which are associated with weight gain. Sleep apnoea is also associated with dysregulation of leptin, a hormone that makes you feel full and aids in regulating weight. Leptin is often found high in individuals with obesity who have a lack of sensitivity to the hormone, dysregulating their appetite.


Those with obesity also have high levels of inflammatory markers in the body, which can bind to leptin, worsening leptin signalling. Therefore, treating individuals with anti-inflammatory diets and supplements may be beneficial to aiding the restoration of a healthy appetite and getting adequate sleep is also very important. There are also supplements and herbs that can aid with lowering cravings and regulating appetite and sleep.





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