According to the researchers at the U of Alabama, sleeping less than seven hours a night contributes to more secondary eating and drinking, thus increasing obesity risk.
The link between short sleep and obesity had been previously identified, however this study specifically looked at the association between short sleep times and secondary eating—eating while engaged in another activity. Researchers analyzed data between 2006 and 2008 from the American Time Use Survey.
This included 28,150 Americans ranging in ages from 21–65. The team primarily analyzed time spent on secondary eating and drinking in addition to primary eating and drinking, with sleep duration as the main independent variable.
Those who reported sleeping for shorter periods (less than 7 hours) engaged in an extra 8.7 minutes a day of secondary eating, compared to those who reported normal sleep durations (7–8 hours).
Secondary drinking increased 28.6 minutes longer on weekdays for those who had shorter sleep times, and 31.28 minutes longer on weekends.
“This potentially suggests a pathway from short sleep to increased caloric intake in the form of beverages and distracted eating and thus potential increased obesity risk, although more research is needed,” said the authors.
Regarding the costs associated with obesity worldwide: Nearly 30% of the global population is overweight or obese, with almost half of the world’s adult population predicted to be overweight or obese by 2030.
Obesity is estimated to comprise between 2–7% of healthcare spending in developed countries, not including the cost of treating associated diseases (which may increase the cost toll to up to 20%); the global economic impact of obesity is close to $2 trillion annually.
In a new McKinsey Global Institute discussion paper, obesity interventions from around the world are evaluated for evidence of overall impact in reducing the burden of health associated with this disease.
Commitment from governments, employers, educators, retailers, restaurants, and food and beverage manufacturers are necessary, as are a combination of top-down corporate and government interventions and bottom-up community-based ones. Engagement from all relevant societal sectors is needed and as many interventions as possible must be delivered to have significant impact.
information from these findings can be found at www.empr.com
