The Body and Sleep video

Sleep more to fight obesity
EXCERPT:
Sleep More to Fight Obesity
Obesity Tied to Lack of Sleep, Say Researchers
By Miranda Hitti
WebMD Health NewsNov. 16, 2004 -- Skimping on sleep may make you more vulnerable to obesity, according to a new study.

The finding is based on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey I (NHANES I). More than 9,000 people participated in the initial study, which was conducted from 1982-1984. They were initially weighed, and later, researchers obtained a self-reported weight for follow-up. More than 8,000 people took part in a 1987 follow-up study.

People who reported getting less than seven hours of sleep a night were more likely to be obese on initial evaluation. The study also showed that they were also more likely to develop obesity during follow-up.

Participants who slept five hours per night were