Over the last 50 or so years, sleeping habits have changed dramatically. We Americans are no longer getting 8-9 hours of sleep per night. Instead, we are lucky to average 5-6 hours per night. As sleep has steadily declined over the years, the number of overweight and obese individuals has risen to epidemic proportions. Is this a mere coincidence or is there more to the story?

Many things have contributed to the obesity epidemic. However, the role of sleep is just coming to light. While there is no absolute certainty on the magnitude of the impact sleep has on bodyweight, mechanisms do exist by which this may occur.

Studies have found links to between the amount of sleep someone gets and two hormones that influence appetite, leptin and ghrelin. Leptin is an appetite suppressant, while ghrelin is an appetite stimulant. How does sleep effect these hormones?

Studies reveal that in a sleep deprived state, levels of leptin decrease while levels of ghrelin increase. As expected, increases in appetite (especially for calorie-dense carbohydrate foods) were also reported. This increase in appetite can lead to an overconsumption of calories throughout the day, thus resulting in weight gain.

While more research is needed on the effects of sleep on bodyweight, it is clear that the mechanisms do exist for sleep to have an impact. Therefore, if you’re having trouble with your weight loss efforts, take a look at your sleep habits for a little insight into what may be inhibiting your progress. More high quality sleep may be just what you need.

Think you may have a sleep disorder? Visit the National Sleep Foundation for more information.