Sleeping could help you lose weight

A good night's sleep could be the answer to shedding those few stubborn pounds

Good news for anyone trying to shift those stubborn few pounds before the summer. Scientists believe that managing your sleep and stress levels could help you lose weight. The research conducted by US scientists in Portland found that people trying to lose at least 10lb were more likely to reach their target if they had lower stress levels and slept moderately.

Approximately 25 per cent of British adults are clinically obese, with a BMI greater than 30, but a UK sleep expert says we can turn this figure on it’s head by simply eating less, moving more and sleeping well.

According to Dr Neil Stanley of the British Sleep Society, the sleep community has been aware of the correlation between sleep and weight loss for a while and welcomed the research by the obesity experts.

‘We’ve always had the 'eat less, move more' mantra, but there is a growing body of evidence that we also need to sleep well,’ he says. ‘It’s also true that if you’re stressed, you’re more likely to sit at home feeling sorry for yourself while eating a bar of chocolate.’

Reported in the International Journal of Obesity, the researchers say that successful dieters with both low stresslevels and a sleep pattern of six to eight hours a night were likely to achieve a weight loss target of 10lb.

‘This study suggests that when people are trying tolose weight, they should try to get the right amount of sleep and reduce their stress,’ says lead author Dr Charles Elder.

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