Weight Gain: The Hidden Consequence of Losing Just 80 Minutes of Sleep
Think skimping on an hour of sleep is harmless? Think again. A groundbreaking study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine by researchers at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons reveals that reducing just 80 minutes of sleep per night for six weeks led participants to gain weight and become significantly more sedentary. This study sheds light on the overlooked connection between sleep and body weight.
The comprehensive analysis of randomized trials involved approximately 100 adults who usually slept seven to eight hours per night. During the six-week period of mild sleep restriction, participants gained an average of one pound, experienced a shift in their appetite-regulating hormones, and burned less energy despite technically being awake for longer hours each day.
Lead researcher Professor Marie-Pierre St-Onge, a professor of nutritional medicine at Columbia, stressed that these findings reshape our understanding of healthy lifestyle habits. She asserts that sleep deserves as much attention as diet and exercise.
“Our study shows that getting adequate sleep may help reduce the risk of weight gain and obesity-related conditions like heart disease and diabetes,” said St-Onge.
Experts point out that approximately one in three U.S. adults regularly gets fewer than seven hours of sleep per night. This makes these findings crucial for public health. The results imply that simple, realistic sleep loss — the kind millions experience every night — could silently contribute to the obesity epidemic.
Source: Columbia University Irving Medical Center – Skimping on Sleep Leads to Weight Gain (July 6, 2026)