Good Night, Weight Gain

Everyone knows that not getting enough sleep affects health, productivity, mood, and more. What might come as a surprise is that skimping on the Z’s can lead to packing on the pounds.

Studies have shown a correlation between insufficient sleep and increased weight. The connection may be as simple as a sleep-deprived person’s tendency to reach for a doughnut for a much-needed energy boost, or a calorie-laden coffee drink or two to fight off drowsiness.

High-fat, sugary foods, a steady supply of caffeine, plus a little willpower may become an individual’s standard way of getting through the morning.

Then comes the inevitable crash, the energy drain of the afternoon, and the next exhaustion-driven decision: Skipping the workout.

This scenario alone makes it clear how sleep loss and weight gain interplay, but there’s more to it than poor food choices and thwarted exercise. Hormones also play a part.

Disrupted sleep leads to disrupted appetite-regulating hormones, according to a WebMD article, throwing off metabolism, making you hungrier, and even raising your risk of developing diabetes.

Workplace concerns about obesity and its associated health problems, as well as the effects of sleep loss on employee productivity, are well worth addressing with workers who might not be aware of the connection between sleep and weight.

Help them rest easy (and maybe shed a few pounds in the bargain) with some tips for better sleep: