Is Lack of Sleep Linked to Increased Snacking?
Women, Lack of Sleep & Snacking.
Are you one of those individuals that indulge in nighttime snacking? As a result, do you sleep well and get up energized in the mornings? Or, do you experience poor night sleep and tired mornings?
Your sleep could indicate your eating habits and the diseases you could be at the risk of suffering.
Women’s poor sleeping habits have been linked to unhealthy food choices, poor eating habits, obesity, and heart ailments.
What Does Research Say?
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center conducted a study on 500 women across ages and from different ethnicities. The researchers concluded that poor sleep quality in women could lead them to eat more and eat unhealthy foods.
Researchers studied women’s sleeping habits, sleep quality, and the presence of insomnia. The women were also asked about the foods they consumed as part of their daily diet.
It was found that women with the poorest sleep quality consumed more added sugars. They also showed a tendency to eat more calories.
Researchers believe that poor sleep quality promotes unhealthy eating by either suppressing signals of satiation or by activating hunger signals.
Other studies need to be taken in the above research to get more insights into the negative impact of poor sleep.
A large study of about 3 105 adults spanning 23 metropolitan areas in the U.S. concluded that there is a link between poor sleep and nighttime snacking. This phone-based study was conducted by sleep researchers from the UAHS (University of Arizona Health Sciences).
The researchers found that nearly 60% of the survey participants indulged in nighttime snacking regularly. In addition, 2/3rd of participants said that sleeplessness caused junk food cravings in them.
The researchers opined that poor sleep quality in participants appeared to be a key indicator of junk food cravings in people. These cravings, in turn, became a key predictor for conditions such as diabetes and obesity.
Another detailed study comprising about 20 000 participants from the U.S. was conducted by experts at The Ohio State University. The study concluded that people without proper sleep tend to indulge in unhealthy snacking habits. They consume snacks high in carbohydrates, fat, and added sugars.
Individuals with poor sleep showed a propensity for sweets and salty snacks. This food preference was the same among all adults, insufficient sleep or not. But people with poor sleep differed from others in that they consumed more snacks. This habit added more calories and imparted less nutritional value.
Another extensive study by the SGH – Singapore General Hospital – involved 68 183 women in the middle age category. The study was conducted over 16 years. It was found that women that slept for only 5 hours or less increased their risk of obesity by 15%.
The study found that poor sleep impacted the appetite management hormones – leptin and ghrelin. In addition, there were changes in brain activity, which increased the risk of consuming unhealthy foods.
As a result, women experiencing poor sleep are likely to feel more hungry and less satiated. This can lead to unhealthy food choices and more calorie consumption.
People with chronic poor sleep are also more likely to experience fatigue, leading to reduced physical activity.
In Conclusion
Adequate sleep is key to a healthy life. Keep your diet healthy and exercise regularly to promote good sleep. Follow regular sleep timings and avoid stimulants such as caffeine before bedtime.
Does Sleep Deprivation Lead to Weight Gain?
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