Certain studies have found a connection between the amount of sleep a person takes and the risk of gaining weight.  It is recommended that a person sleeps for seven hours or more to avoid the risk of becoming obese.  People who sleep for four hours or less are 70% more likely to be obese, 5 hours have a 50% greater risk, and those who sleep for 6 hours have a 20% greater risk.

Although the body burns fewer calories when resting, chronic sleep deprivation affects how the brain is wired for appetite.  A person who lacks sleep will have lower levels of leptin, a protein that suppresses appetite and affects the brains ability to determine when it has had enough food.  Lack of sleep also causes the levels of grehlin to rise up.  Grehlin is a hormone that makes a person want to eat more.

Aside from that, sleep deprivation also affects an individual’s ability to make clear decisions about food so people tend to grab quick and unhealthy foods when they are tired.  So the next time you plan your meals and workout for the week, also consider planning your sleep schedule to avoid the risk of gaining weight.