Dozing off in front of the television can result in weight gain, according to a new study | 1 NEWS NOW

Sleeping on late-night TV or sleeping with other lights can disrupt your metabolism and lead to weight gain and even obesity, according to a provocative but preliminary US research.

The study published today by the National Institutes of Health is not a proof, but it reinforces evidence suggesting that too much exposure to light at night could pose risks for the health.

"It's really important that you have this day-night cycle, in order to properly regulate the hormones, the hormones that regulate your sleep, the hormones that regulate your hunger," said lead author Dale Sandler, a scientist at the University of Toronto. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH Division.

"What we brought was a simple thing that people could do to reduce their risk of becoming obese – it's a pretty easy prevention effort – just turn off the lights before you go to bed," he said. said Mrs. Sandler.

Daily exposure to light and darkness helps maintain our biological clock 24 hours a day, which regulates metabolism, hormones that promote sleep, blood pressure and other bodily functions.

Growing research suggests that disrupting the typical sleep-wake cycle can contribute to poor health, increasing the risks of hypertension, diabetes, depression, and obesity.

Researchers badyzed health and lifestyle data from nearly 44,000 US women enrolled in an ongoing study to find clues about the causes of bad cancer.

The badysis focused on data concerning sleep, light exposure and weight gain during the study, but not on bad cancer. The results were published in JAMA Internal Medicine.

The women participating in the study underwent medical examinations and completed questionnaires about their health and lifestyle during registration and periodically thereafter.
Those who reported sleeping at night in a room with a lighted television or a light were more likely to take at least 4.9 kg over about five years than those who slept in the dark.

They were also about 30% more likely to become obese.

Ms. Sandler said she was convinced that the extra weight did not come from things like nighttime snacks, because the badysis also took into account other variables that could have led to weight gain. , such as diet, physical activity and sleep duration.

Ms. Sandler said it was likely that similar results are found in men.

Animal research and smaller studies in humans have linked prolonged exposure to light and weight gain.

Scientists believe that disturbances in the release of sleep-related hormones and appetite may be involved.