Poor Sleep Linked to Weight Gain

Too little sleep increases the risk of heart disease, disbetes, high blood pressure, stroke and
depression. It also affects attention, alertness and concentration. Sleep deprivation also leads
to more accidents. Now there is also evidence to suggest lack of adequate sleep may lead to
weight gain. A recent analysis found that not getting enough sleep led to overeating the next
day. Sleep loss affects appetite hormones. It increases ghrelin, the hunger-stimulating
hormone, and decreases leptin, the hormone that signals satiety. Another study found those
who got 4 hours of sleep for 5 nights gained 2 pounds more than those who slept 10 hours.