Lack of Sleep Is Linked to Weight Gain

America is a sleep-deprived nation. The prescriptions for sleeping pills last year saw a big jump compared to the year before, America is also an overweight nation. It makes you wonder if an strong link exists between weight gain and lack of sleep. Some studies have shown that even one week of sleep deprivation can make a normal adult’s blood chemistry similar to that of a diabetic. There is plenty of evidence demonstrating the strong link between the lack of sleep and common weight-related illnesses, including heart disease, obesity and diabetes.

Now, we know for women who want to shed those baby pounds, having at least 5 hours of sleep is a key factor. In a study, researchers looked at the weights and sleep patterns of 940 women who enrolled in the study during early pregnancy. A year after giving birth, 124 of the women retained at least 11 pounds of the weight they had gained during pregnancy. It is found that those who slept 5 fours a day six months after giviing birth were 3 times more likely to keep the baby pounds compared to those who slept 7 hours. Sleeping 6-8 hours a day didn’t appear to raise a woman’s risk of keeping on weight.

Weight gain in pregnancy is healthy and natural. In many cases, the postpartum weight gain is more of a result of stress, sleep deprivation, behavioral changes and eating disorders related to caring for the newborn. Melting those extra pounds in your sleep seems like a dream. In reality, sleeping well can be your answer to the slim body that you have always dreamed of. So, dream on.