SLEEP IT OFF

摘要

We've been told to eat less and move more to battle the growing obesity epidemic. But could getting more shuteye also be a way to fight the fat? Helen Pearson investigates. For nutrition researcher Arne Astrup, it was a tired, overweight young girl who got him thinking. Twelve years old and 20 kilograms overweight, she was bright and more active than the average kid. Genetics and lifestyle seemed to be on her side: her slim parents packed her a nutritious lunch for school and did everything to ensureshe ate healthily at home. But she was also something of a night owl. She loved to read and watch television into the night and did not sleep for more than seven hours. Astrup was aware of emerging research pointing to links between poor sleep patternsand appetite. After he discussed the possible connection with the family, the girl stayed in bed longer, for nine or ten hours. Within one month of starting to sleep longer, she started to lose weight and her cravings for junk food dropped.