Poor sleep ‘can condition the brain for weight gain’

New research into the effects a lack of sleep can have on the brain has revealed insights into how disrupted resting patterns can lead to weight gain.

Scientists from Uppsala University in Sweden have utilised MRI techniques to study the brains of 12 normal-weight males while they viewed images of foods, cross-referencing the data against information on their sleeping habits.

It was found that a specific brain region that contributes to a person's appetite sensation was more activated by the images after a night of sleep loss, compared to those who had rested properly.

According to researchers, this change in brain patterns can have an impact on their overall level of hunger, which can make it more likely that they will become overweight.

Christian Benedict of the university's department of neuroscience said: "Bearing in mind that insufficient sleep is a growing problem in modern society, our results may explain why poor sleep habits can affect people's risk to gain weight in the long run."

Earlier this month, a paper from the University of Rhode Island identified a new gene that could play a role in regulating body weight, while conducting unrelated research into dyskinesia.