Obesity linked to sleep deprivation in new study

A newly published study has uncovered a potential link between partial sleep deprivation and obesity.

The US research paper, which has appeared in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, has reviewed literature published over a 15-year period to identify potential links between sleep patterns and weight gain.

It found that partially sleep-deprived individuals experienced reduced insulin sensitivity, increases in ghrelin and decreases in leptin, thus creating an imbalance in energy intake that promote hunger.

This conclusion supports the idea that evaluation of an individual's sleep patterns may benefit healthy weight management when combined with regular, sufficient sleep.

Dr Sharon Nickols-Richardson, professor at the department of nutritional sciences at Pennsylvania State University, said: "The intriguing relationship between partial sleep deprivation and excess adiposity makes partial sleep deprivation a factor of interest in body weight regulation, particularly in weight loss."

Obesity is a growing health problem in the UK, with government data estimating that direct costs associated with the disease are now estimated at around 5.1 billion pounds annually.