Study Finds 90 Minutes Less Sleep Adds 0.45 kg in 6 Weeks
Updated
Updated · Surinenglish.com · Jul 20
Study Finds 90 Minutes Less Sleep Adds 0.45 kg in 6 Weeks
3 articles · Updated · Surinenglish.com · Jul 20
Summary
Ninety minutes less time in bed each night led adults to gain an average 0.45 kg over six weeks, with waist size rising about 0.5 cm.
The finding came from two clinical trials in 95 adults at higher cardiometabolic risk who normally slept at least seven hours, with sleep tracked by wrist devices and diaries.
MRI scans showed a larger overall body size but no major shift in fat or muscle, while leptin rose and GLP-1 did not change during the sleep-restriction phase.
Participants also spent 17 extra minutes a day sedentary, and measured calorie burn and moderate-to-vigorous exercise were largely unchanged, pointing to higher food intake and inactivity as likely drivers.
Researchers said the pattern could approach 4 kg over a year and argued adequate sleep should be treated as part of obesity, heart disease and diabetes prevention.
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Mild Chronic Sleep Loss (80 Minutes/Night) Proven to Cause Weight Gain and Sedentary Behavior: Columbia 2026 Findings
Overview
A major study from Columbia University, published in July 2026, directly links mild, chronic sleep loss to weight gain. Unlike earlier research that focused on extreme sleep deprivation, this study examined more common patterns of sleep reduction, similar to what many adults experience. The researchers found that adults who slept about 80 minutes less each night for six weeks gained weight and became more sedentary. This shows that even small, regular losses of sleep can have a real impact on body weight and daily activity, highlighting the importance of getting enough sleep for good health.