Can Sleep Make It Easier to Lose Weight?

Joanne Quinn

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young man with short beard sleeping on bed with gray and white striped sheets and pillow

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New research

People who reported getting regular and uninterrupted sleep did a better job sticking to their diet and exercise goals during a 12-month weight loss study. This was based on a study of 125 mostly white and female adults around the age of 50.

It was reported at a recent conference of The American Heart Association.

Why does this matter?

There are over 100 studies linking sleep to weight. We already know that sleep influences:

  • Metabolism
  • Blood Sugar
  • Hunger
  • Food Cravings

But this study shows that good sleep makes it easier to make healthy choices and engage in BEHAVIORS that help with weight loss.

This is such a great reminder of why diets are never enough for sustainable weight loss! We have to look at the entire picture of a person’s life – from their metabolism to hormones to stress levels to sleep. A functional medicine practitioner can help by looking at a patient’s whole health picture. You can find a functional medicine practitioner by going to www.ifm.org.

Reference

American Heart Association. A good night’s sleep may make it easier to stick to exercise and diet goals, study found. American Heart Association Epidemiology, Prevention, Lifestyle & Cardiometabolic Health Scientific Sessions 2023. Abstract 472.

Revised by Joanne Quinn, PhD; content provided by Wellnesswriter.com.

About the Author

Joanne Quinn

Executive Director of the Foundation for Alternative and Integrative Medicine

Joanne Quinn, Ph.D., R.M.A., has an extensive background in science with a doctorate in holistic nutrition. She has studied both allopathic and alternative approaches to health care, studying alternative therapies since 1989.