Lack of Sleep Linked to Obesity

There have been a few studies linking obesity with lack of sleep. This first one from NPR notes a difference in appetite based on subjects who slept for four or ten hours. Those with a full night's sleep awoke with a normal appetite, but those who slept four hours awoke with a greater hunger, especially for unhealthy foods.

This second study correlates sleeping less than ten hours a night with obesity. Children who slept less than 10 hours a night were 3.5 times more likely to suffer from the affliction.

Anne Marie links the weight gain among students to a lack of energy to play. Perhaps we should encourage a full night's sleep as part of maintaining and active lifestyle.