A lack of sleep has been linked to obesity in the past. Does a night-time television possibly pose similar risks? Researchers from the USA have investigated this question.
Don’t miss any more FITBOOK topics – subscribe to our newsletter here!
Falling asleep with a flickering TV and/or special noises can be a ritual that actually works for one or the other. For example, because it distracts from the tension of everyday life. But it is possible that this form of distraction influences the metabolism – and thus promotes weight gain.
Also interesting: 12 tips from sleep experts for a restful night
Researchers from the US National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) found that middle-aged women are more likely to be overweight if they have a habit of sleeping with the TV on or the lights on.
The study: procedure and results
Between 2003 and 2009, around 44,000 (healthy) women aged 35 to 74 were interviewed for the study. More than a third slept with a night light in the room, a slightly smaller proportion usually left a light on outside the bedroom – and around 5,000 study participants stated that they regularly slept with the television on or with the light completely on. None of the women worked in shifts at the beginning of the course.
Also interesting: Why ready meals make us eat «too much».
The result: A running television or other light source in the bedroom increases the likelihood of gaining weight. After five years, the women who slept in this way were significantly more likely to be overweight or obese (22 and 33 percent, respectively) than the group who slept in the dark. The study was presented in the US journal JAMA.
No direct connection proven
The problem with the study: It was not a controlled experiment. How the participants ate during the study period, how much or little sport they did and how long they slept was part of the survey, but was not examined. This does not prove whether or how nocturnal light can directly lead to obesity.
Also interesting: With this trick (almost) everyone should be able to fall asleep in 2 minutes
Accordingly carefully, Dr. Yong-Moon Park, an author of the study, in his conclusions: «Turning off the lights at bedtime could make women less likely to become overweight.» The scientists believe the results can be extrapolated to men as well.
The light-dark cycle significantly regulates bodily functions
«We are evolutionarily wired to sleep when it’s dark,» said Dale Sandler, another author of the study. «Becoming clear about this is relevant for many health reasons.» The light-dark cycle sets the pace for the inner clock and these creatures a 24-hour wake-sleep rhythm that regulates many mechanisms in the body: the metabolism , (sleep) hormones, blood pressure and many other functions.
Also interesting: Tai-Chi – martial art for inner balance
In general, however, obesity can have many causes. It’s all an individual matter. And if you find it extremely relaxing to sleep with the TV on… then that’s something too!