A reduction in the time people spend asleep could partly account for soaring obesity rates, a study has revealed.

Researchers at the University of Bristol have found that hormonal changes caused by lack of sleep could lead to increased appetite. The population-based study examined more than 1,000 volunteers. Report author Dr Shahrad Taheri said: “Individuals who spent less than eight hours sleeping were shown to have a greater likelihood of being heavier.”

The research, carried out in conjunction with US scientists, is one of three published in recent weeks to produce similar results. It found that people who habitually slept for five hours had 15% more ghrelin, a hormone which increases feelings of hunger, than those who slept for eight hours.

Those who slept for less time were also found to have 15% less leptin, a hormone which suppresses appetite.

“These differences are likely to increase appetite and, in societies where food is readily available, this may contribute to obesity,” Dr Taheri said. “It is important for people to realise there is more to obesity than just stuffing your face.”

Sleep is important

Dr Taheri, whose work is published in the journal Public Library of Science Medicine, said there was evidence that children as young as two years old might be in danger of becoming obese if they lost a lot of sleep.

“We have to realise that sleeping is not a waste of time, we have to recognise that it impacts on our health.”

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The author of this article Dr Shahrad Taheri is a Consultant Bariatric Physician with Vita Clinics – the UK’s leading clinic for weight loss surgery.