mmalabanan
A new study has revealed that an irregular pattern of sleep can affect how much teens eat and can potentially lead to weight gain.
In the latest sleep research conducted by Penn State University College of Medicine researchers, Fan He and his colleagues found a strong correlation between the amount of calories consumed and the variation in sleep patterns among teenagers. Their findings revealed that when a teenager’s sleeping pattern varied by just an hour, they eat an extra 201 calories per day.
This result applies to teenagers sleeping either more or less than an hour of their regular sleeping routine.
In addition, teenagers with irregular pattern of sleep observed in the study consumed 6 grams more fat and 32 grams carbohydrates the day after. Morever, those with uneven sleep patterns snacked more.
Speaking to The Daily Mail UK, Fan He explained: “According to the data from our study, it’s not how long you sleep that matters. It’s about day-to-day variations in how long you sleep.”
The researchers provided two possible explanations for their findings. One is that getting less sleep makes teenagers more sedentary the next day. This makes them more prone to snacking.
Another explanation they provided is that changes in sleep patterns lead to hormonal imbalance.
Previously, the hormone leptin has been established as an appetite thermostat. Known as one of the two hunger hormones, It works by decreasing the appetite. Lack of sleep causes leptin levels to decrease. Thus, this gives the brain signals to eat more food.
