Sleep the Pounds Off

No this is not a miraculous new diet plan....

An analysis of recent data suggests sleep deficits are making people fat. In studies, 1) sleep shortage in babies and toddlers correlated with obesity at age 7, 2) sleep shortage in adults correlated with high levels of a hormone that tells the brain to eat, and 3) kids who woke up tired got less exercise, which in turn would have helped them sleep. (http://www.slate.com/id/2151600/)

I'm sure you heard eight hours, but where did this number come from?

In a classic study, researchers placed a volunteer in windowless, light-controlled room for 30 days. The light was on for 16 hours and off for eight hours, but the study participant could also turn the lights on and off at will. Before the experiment began, the subject routinely got about six and a half hours of sleep. During the first night of the experiment he slept eight hours, the second night 10 hours, the third night 12 hours, and the fourth night 14 hours. Over the next several days, he began to reduce the number of hours slept, eventually falling to a steady eight hours and 13 minutes. This experiment was performed repeatedly with all types of people, with similar results, and this is where the recommendation of eight hours comes from.

Links for the Day:
USAToday - Sleep Loss May Equal Weight Gain.
WebMD - How Much Sleep Do You Really Need?