Scientists have recently investigated the potential role of sleep education in weight loss programs.
Their results, which appear in the journal JAMA Network, lay the groundwork for further research to see if the findings are generalizable and hold true over longer periods.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), rates of obesity have almost tripledTrusted Source since 1975.
In the United States, 42.4%Trusted Source of people had obesity in 2017–2018, up from 30.5% in 1999–2000.
Obesity is linked with many leading, preventable causes of death, including stroke, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer.
The primary cause of obesity is consuming more calories than are used.
The WHOTrusted Source points out that globally, diets are containing more energy-dense foods that are high in sugar and fat. At the same time, people have tended to become more sedentary, meaning they are burning fewer calories.
Meanwhile, many social, economic, and environmental factors contribute to people developing overweight and obesity.
ResearchersTrusted Source believe that not getting enough sleep is a risk factor. In experimental laboratory studies, scientists have shown that when someone is sleep-deprived, they are more likely to increase their calorie intake.
