Healthy Weight Loss

Healthy Weight Loss
How Stress and sleep Affect Weight Loss

Success at losing weight may depend on how much sleep a person gets and how much stress they are under according to the results of an extensive six months weight loss intervention program. The Study was undertaken at the Kaiser Permanete Center for Health Research in Portland Oregon. It found that weight loss over the six month period correlated with lowering of stress and symptoms of depression.

To explore the connections between such factors and success in a structured weight loss program. 472 participants were enrolled in a two part clinical trial.

Phase one of the study was an intensive weight loss program in which participants were encourages to consume 500 fewer calories each day, eating primarily vegetables, fruits and low fat dairy products. they were also asked to engage in physical exercise for at least three hours each week.

Participants attended 22 behaviour and concealing sessions over the course of six months, setting goals and addressing barriers, and kept recorders of daily food consumption and exercise.

Average weight loss during the first phase of the trial was 13.9 pounds, and 60% of the participants lost 10 pounds which was the cutoff for eligibility for the second phase of the trial.

Phase two canalised the connection between sleep and weight loss. Success in achieving weight loss goals was more likely amongst those who slept between six and eight hours each night.

Further analysis found significant connections between weight loss and decrease in stress levels and depression scores.

"Recent research suggests that chronic stress results in an increased intake of energy and nutrient dense foods and that hormonal reactions to to stressors may be tightly intertwined with regulation of appetite" the researchers explained.

The findings of this study according to the researchers, also suggest that assessing stress levels and depression in people trying to lose weight might identify those who might need extra counseling and other assistance.

• Participants in this weight loss study were more successful if they slept between six and eight hours a night, had less stress and were less depressed
• Exercise and caloric reductions were also important components of the weight loss program

Healthy Weight Loss
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