June 11, 2008, Quebec – A research study at Laval University involving 276 people, who were part of a larger Canadian study, suggests that too much sleep, or the lack of it, could lead to unhealthy weight gain.

While we all know that having a sound night’s sleep is often the best way to help us cope with stress, solve problems, or recover from illness, it is also a well-known fact that many people suffer from insomnia, or the inability to fall asleep or staying asleep despite the opportunity.

In the study, the participants were classified into three groups, based on sleep duration:

• short sleepers – those who slept 5 to 6 hours a night
• average sleepers – those who slept 7 to 8 hours a night
• long sleepers – those who slept 9 to 10 hours a night.

During the six-year study period, some of the findings were as follows:

• Over six years, short sleepers were 35% more likely to gain 11 pounds than average-duration sleepers.
• Over the same time period, long sleepers were 25% more likely to gain 11 pounds than average-duration sleepers.
• Short sleepers gained 58% more around their waists and 124% more body fat than the average sleeper.

The research team believes that there could be an “optimal sleeping time” to stay healthy. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the recommended number of sleeping hours for adults is between seven and eight hours a night.

Jean-Philippe Chaput, a researcher of Laval University, said in a news release that the findings provide “evidence that both short and long sleeping times predict an increased risk of future body weight and fat gain in adults.”

He also added that “these results emphasize the need to add sleep duration to the list of environmental factors that are prevalent in our society that contribute to weight gain and obesity.”

Many researchers observe that the U.S. population is losing sleep, with Americans sleeping one and a half to two hours less a night than they did 40 years ago. And this new study only adds to the growing body of evidence linking lack of sleep to obesity. Based on statistics of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, about one-third of the adult population sleeps less than six hours a night.

Here are some guidelines to get good sleep as provided by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine:

• Follow a consistent bedtime routine.
• Establish a relaxing setting at bedtime.
• Get a full night's sleep every night.
• Avoid caffeine or any other stimulants before bedtime.
• Be worry-free at bedtime.
• Don't go to bed hungry, or too full.
• Avoid rigorous exercise within six hours of your bedtime.
• Make your bedroom quiet, dark, and a little cool.
• Get up at the same time every morning.

For information about FDA-approved sleep medications, health issues, wellness, and pharmacy solutions, log on to www.drugstoretm.com or call: 1-646-278-1136, Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 9:00pm (Pacific Standard Time).

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