Insomnia is a common sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling or staying asleep, which can affect your health in many aspects. Insomnia is one of the medical conditions that make it hard to lose weight, so it is important to understand the correlation between insomnia and weight gain to help you manage your weight and have a healthy lifestyle.
How Insomnia Leads to Weight Gain
1. Hormonal Imbalance
Lack of sleep disrupts the balance of the hormones in your body, such as:
- Leptin: This hormone signals fullness to your brain. Insufficient sleep decreases leptin levels, making you feel less satisfied after eating.
- Ghrelin: Ghrelin is known as the hunger hormone that increases your appetite. Insomnia raises your ghrelin levels, leading to increased hunger and food intake.
These hormonal changes can cause people who have insomnia to eat more than usual, which leads to weight gain.
2. Increased Calorie Intake
People who suffer from insomnia often find themselves awake during the night, which can result in late-night snacking. Some snacks are typically high in calories, sugars, and fats that can cause weight gain.
- Midnight Snacks: The temptation to eat comfort food late at night can add unnecessary calories, which can cause weight gain over time.
3. Reduced Physical Activity
Lack of sleep can cause fatigue and low energy levels, making it difficult to engage in daily physical activities.
- Sedentary Lifestyle: People who have insomnia may struggle to find the motivation to exercise, which reduces the number of calories burned, resulting in weight gain.
4. Metabolic Changes
Sleep deprivation affects the body’s ability to metabolize glucose, resulting in insulin resistance.
- Insulin Resistance: This condition causes difficulty for your body to convert sugar into energy, resulting in stored fat, especially around your abdomen.
5. Stress and Emotional Eating
Insomnia increases stress levels, which leads to emotional eating as a coping mechanism.
- Cortisol Levels: Elevated stress levels boost the production of cortisol, which increases stress eating and fat storage.
Take the Next Step in Managing Insomnia and Weight
Your sleep patterns can greatly affect your weight management. That’s why it’s important to consider other factors to manage your weight healthily! For tips on how to manage insomnia weight gain, check out our detailed guide.
Marie France is here to support you on your weight management journey with our holistic wellness approach. Take the next step and book a FREE consultation with us today!
