Sleeping Under 6 Hours? It Could Be Making You Gain Weight!
- pradeep
- 2 minutes ago
- 2 min read
People who consistently sleep fewer than six hours may find it harder to manage their weight, even when they exercise regularly and follow a calorie-controlled diet.
According to physician Dr Gagandeep Singh, insufficient sleep should be viewed as a metabolic concern rather than merely a lifestyle habit because it can affect stress hormones, appetite signals and insulin sensitivity.
Poor Sleep Can Increase Hunger
Dr Singh explained that sleep deprivation may raise cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. Persistently elevated cortisol can influence blood-sugar regulation and may encourage fat storage, particularly around the abdomen.
A lack of sleep can also disturb the hormones that regulate appetite:
Ghrelin, which signals hunger, may increase.
Leptin, which signals fullness, may decrease.
This combination can leave a person feeling hungrier, taking longer to feel satisfied and craving high-calorie foods such as sweets, biscuits and fried snacks.
Sleep Loss May Affect Insulin Sensitivity
Insufficient sleep may reduce the body’s ability to respond effectively to insulin.
When insulin sensitivity declines, the pancreas may produce more insulin to control blood sugar. Over time, consistently high insulin levels may contribute to weight gain and increase the risk of metabolic problems such as fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes.
Muscle Recovery Can Also Suffer
Deep sleep plays an important role in muscle recovery and preservation.
Poor sleep can interfere with this process. Because muscles help absorb glucose from the bloodstream, reduced muscle health may further affect blood-sugar control and overall metabolism.
Hormonal Health May Be Affected
Chronic sleep deprivation may also disrupt reproductive hormones.
The doctor said poor sleep can be associated with irregular menstrual cycles in women and lower testosterone, energy and overall vitality in men.
Healthy Food and Exercise May Not Be Enough
Dr Singh stressed that good nutrition and exercise cannot fully compensate for consistently poor sleep.
Adults should generally prioritise a regular sleep schedule and aim for approximately seven to eight hours of quality sleep, while recognising that individual requirements can vary.
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