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Insufficient sleep may accelerate weight gain more quickly than previously understood, according to findings published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center determined that adults sleeping approximately 90 minutes less per night for six weeks gained an average of one pound compared to periods when sleep was adequate.
The study involved 95 adults at elevated risk for cardiovascular or metabolic conditions. Scientists compared two six-week phases: one with normal sleep and another with nightly reductions of 90 minutes, measuring weight changes and lifestyle factors throughout the trial.
Participants in the sleep-restricted phase showed increased weight and modest increases in waist circumference by the conclusion of the study. Sedentary time rose notably during this period, though rates of moderate and vigorous physical activity remained relatively unchanged.
Despite the weight increase, researchers found no significant shifts in body fat or muscle composition. The mechanism behind the weight gain remains unclear, as dietary intake was not monitored during the investigation.
Dr. Somi Javaid, an Ohio-based obstetrician-gynecologist and HerMD founder uninvolved in the research, emphasized that sleep regulates metabolic function. She stressed that menopausal women face particular vulnerability to weight regulation problems during sleep disruption, noting the metabolic challenges compound when women simultaneously experience reduced sleep quality.
The American Heart Association now classifies sleep among its “Life’s Essential 8” components for cardiovascular health, recommending seven to nine hours nightly for adults. Javaid characterized chronic sleep deficit as a serious health concern rather than a minor lifestyle choice.
Researchers acknowledged several study limitations, including the possibility that six weeks proved insufficient to detect meaningful body fat changes. The relatively modest sample size restricted comparative analysis across different demographic groups, and hormone measurements taken only in morning hours may have missed daily fluctuations.
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