Even Mild Sleep Loss Impacts Weight
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Even Mild Sleep Loss Impacts Weight
- A recent Columbia University study, published on July 7, 2026, found that adults who slept approximately 80 minutes less per night for six weeks gained about one pound on average.
- Taruj Ali, chief medical officer at SOMOS Health, emphasizes that sleep is a crucial component of weight management, alongside diet and exercise.
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New research indicates that even a modest reduction in nightly sleep can contribute to weight gain and affect metabolic health. A study conducted by researchers at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, published in the *Annals of Internal Medicine* on July 7, 2026, revealed that participants who consistently slept about 80 minutes less per night over six weeks gained an average of one pound. This mild sleep deprivation also led to a small increase in waist circumference and more sedentary behavior among participants.
Historically, much of the research linking sleep and weight focused on severe sleep deprivation. However, this recent study is particularly noteworthy because it mirrors the kind of mild, chronic sleep loss experienced by many adults in their daily lives. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 35% of Americans routinely get less than seven hours of sleep per night.
Experts like Taruj Ali, a quadruple-board certified physician in Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep, and Obesity Medicine, and chief medical officer at SOMOS Health, highlight sleep as a vital, yet often overlooked, element in the “trifecta” for weight management, alongside diet and exercise. Sleep deprivation can disrupt hormones that regulate appetite, such as ghrelin (which increases hunger) and leptin (which signals fullness), potentially leading to increased calorie intake, particularly from carbohydrates, and a preference for high-fat foods. It can also decrease insulin sensitivity, slow metabolism, and reduce motivation for physical activity. These findings suggest that consistently prioritizing at least seven hours of sleep can be a significant factor in maintaining a healthy weight and metabolic balance.