Sleep and Weight Gain

Education Series by Randy Hebert, MD, Medical Director

Many Americans worry about their weight. Millions of dollars are spent per year on diet and exercise plans. There is one simple thing we can do to help us control our weight—sleep.

People who sleep an average of less than seven hours a night are 40% more likely to be obese than those who sleep more than seven hours.

A good night’s sleep is more than rest—it impacts weight.

Bacaro, Valeria, Andrea Ballesio, Silvia Cerolini, Mariacarolina Vacca, Eleonora Poggiogalle, Lorenzo Maria Donini, Fabio Lucidi, and Caterina Lombardo. “Sleep duration and obesity in adulthood: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.” Obesity research & clinical practice 14, no. 4 (2020): 301-309.