A commentary in the Canadian Medical Association Journal states that adequate sleep is an important part of a weight loss program. This is of course in addition to diet and exercise.
Dr. Jean-Phillippe Chaput, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute in Ottawa and Dr Angelo Tremblay, Laval University in Quebec in recently published research found that total sleep time and quality of sleep predicted the loss of fat in people enrolled in a weight loss program.
They say that the solution to weight loss is not as simple as 'eat less, move more, sleep more.
However, an accumulating body of evidence does suggests that sleeping habits should not be overlooked when prescribing a weight-reduction program to a patient with obesity as lack of sleep increases the stimulus to consume more food and increases appetite-regulating hormones.
Showing posts with label Exercise. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Exercise. Show all posts
Friday, October 26, 2012
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Do You Need Less Sleep As You Get Older?
The amount of sleep needed as we get older is a controversial subject.
Some say that you do need less sleep as you get older.
The University of Surrey conducted a study where the researchers wer surpised to find that decrease in sleep that comes with advancing years is a normal part of aging.
According to them, this is because aging brings less time spent in deep, slow-wave sleep, the "dead" phase where nothing wakes you. Despite this, the older subjects still displayed less daytime sleepiness than the younger subjects. They say that the fact that older people need less sleep is explained by the fact that they get a better quality of sleep, and the older the brain, the more effectively it cycles through the stages of sleep.
Others disagree and say that getting older can bring real sleep issues to many who slept just fine when younger.
This is due to many reasons:
- hormonal changes after menopause in women
- changes in levels of melatonin
- secreting less growth hormone as we age
- medical issues that cause pain and discomfort
- depression, anxiety and dementia
- side effects of medications
The most important thing is how you feel after a night's sleep. Do you feel rested and refreshed or tired and lethargic? If you are in the latter group, you can try some natural ways to help you sleep better,such as yoga or any other gentle exercise, acupuncture, herbs or supplements and try to spend some time in the sunlight or bright light every day.
Some say that you do need less sleep as you get older.
The University of Surrey conducted a study where the researchers wer surpised to find that decrease in sleep that comes with advancing years is a normal part of aging.
According to them, this is because aging brings less time spent in deep, slow-wave sleep, the "dead" phase where nothing wakes you. Despite this, the older subjects still displayed less daytime sleepiness than the younger subjects. They say that the fact that older people need less sleep is explained by the fact that they get a better quality of sleep, and the older the brain, the more effectively it cycles through the stages of sleep.
Others disagree and say that getting older can bring real sleep issues to many who slept just fine when younger.
This is due to many reasons:
- hormonal changes after menopause in women
- changes in levels of melatonin
- secreting less growth hormone as we age
- medical issues that cause pain and discomfort
- depression, anxiety and dementia
- side effects of medications
The most important thing is how you feel after a night's sleep. Do you feel rested and refreshed or tired and lethargic? If you are in the latter group, you can try some natural ways to help you sleep better,such as yoga or any other gentle exercise, acupuncture, herbs or supplements and try to spend some time in the sunlight or bright light every day.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Less Sleep Can Make Children Fatter!
It seems that Sleep can make children fatter!
A team of researchers in New Zealand set out to investigate whether reduced sleep is associated with differences in body composition and the risk of becoming overweight in young children. The study was reported in the British Medical Journal.
They found that on average, children aged three to five sleep 11 hours a night, but for every hour they sleep less than that between the ages of three and five, they will be carrying an extra pound and a half of fat by their seventh birthday.
The results show that young children who sleep less are at a significantly increased risk of having a higher BMI by age 7, even after controlling for other risk factors that have been implicated in body weight gain.
According to the researchers, the reduced sleep may increase their food intake and may also make them exercise less.
So it is important for parents to ensure that growing children get enough sleep and adequate exercise.
A team of researchers in New Zealand set out to investigate whether reduced sleep is associated with differences in body composition and the risk of becoming overweight in young children. The study was reported in the British Medical Journal.
They found that on average, children aged three to five sleep 11 hours a night, but for every hour they sleep less than that between the ages of three and five, they will be carrying an extra pound and a half of fat by their seventh birthday.
The results show that young children who sleep less are at a significantly increased risk of having a higher BMI by age 7, even after controlling for other risk factors that have been implicated in body weight gain.
According to the researchers, the reduced sleep may increase their food intake and may also make them exercise less.
So it is important for parents to ensure that growing children get enough sleep and adequate exercise.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Exercise in Children Promotes Sleep
It's common sense and everyone knows that children who run around and exercise more sleep better. However this has now been quantified.
Experts from Monash University in Melbourne and the University of Auckland looked at 519 seven-year-olds and found that for every hour they sit, they need three minutes longer to fall asleep.
Interestingly, it did not matter what the child did whilst they sat. TV was no more detrimental than reading a book quietly, although children who were very physically active during the day tended to take less time to fall asleep
Most of the children fell asleep within 45 minutes, and the average amount of time it took to fall asleep was 26 minutes.
Those who fell asleep faster also tended to sleep for longer.
This study emphasises yet again, the importance of physical activity for children, not only for sleep, but also for overall fitness, heart health and obesity control.
Experts from Monash University in Melbourne and the University of Auckland looked at 519 seven-year-olds and found that for every hour they sit, they need three minutes longer to fall asleep.
Interestingly, it did not matter what the child did whilst they sat. TV was no more detrimental than reading a book quietly, although children who were very physically active during the day tended to take less time to fall asleep
Most of the children fell asleep within 45 minutes, and the average amount of time it took to fall asleep was 26 minutes.
Those who fell asleep faster also tended to sleep for longer.
This study emphasises yet again, the importance of physical activity for children, not only for sleep, but also for overall fitness, heart health and obesity control.
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