Can you imagine that the lack of sleep could have anything to do with belly fat? Maybe there is more to it than we can imagine! Science gives the answer if there is a link between lack of sleep and obesity.
The connection between sleep and obesity
In a sleep deprivation experiment in healthy people, scientists found an association between lack of sleep and abdominal obesity.
Dr. Naima Covassin at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and colleagues enrolled 12 healthy non-obese volunteers aged 19 to 39 years in a randomized controlled trial in which one group had controlled sleep restriction (2 weeks of 4 hours of sleep). The other group “received” controlled normal sleep (9 hours of sleep per night). Participants’ calorie intake was monitored, and their energy expenditure was tracked with an accelerometer.
Consumption of extra calories and belly fat
The study found that in addition to reduced sleep time participants
- ate an average of 308 calories more per day than their peers with controlled sleep,
- gained weight and saw an increase in visceral adipose tissue of about 11% (7.8 cm2).
The distribution of belly fat was assessed using CT scans on days 1 and 18 of the study.
Those who received sleep deprivation, lack of sleep they got more obese: increased their body weight by about 0.5 kg by the end of 2 weeks and saw a significant increase in adipose tissue in the abdomen area, especially inside the abdomen (visceral fat).
Based on the findings, the researchers hypothesize that there is some biochemical message in the body that continues to send fat to the visceral part after sleep deprivation is over.
The effects of periods of insufficient sleep, accumulating over the years, result in abdominal type obesity.
The study found that lack of sleep alters the “pathway” of fat in the body, i.e. fat is placed in the wrong place, so people can get obese. In addition, it has been found that if a short-term sleep disorder does not significantly increase body weight, sleep disturbance results in fat storage disorders and can lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and unhealthy body composition (visceral fat mass). Source: https://www.sci.news/medicine/sleep-deficiency-abdominal-visceral-obesity-10664.html
Conclusion:
Lack of sleep and obesity, including belly fat, walk hand in hand. Good sleep hygiene is a basic condition for a lifestyle change and achieving the desired body composition (i.e. weight loss). Without it, it is truly challenging to achieve your dream shape!
Should you need any assistance with changing your lifestyle, feel free to contact www.inshape-diet.com.
Source:
Sleep Deprivation Sends Fat to the Belly, Richard Mark Kirkner, March 28, 2022
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/971063