Althouse: Why sleep deprivation makes you fat.

May 15, 2012

Why sleep deprivation makes you fat.

"Unfortunately, we have caveman's hard-core wiring... and insufficient sleep in primitive times was read by the body: Danger, store fat."

16 comments:

edutcher said...: I get the pups out at 6 every morning and I lost 25 pounds in the last couple of years.

Thank you, Sherlock. Thank you, Quantum.; 5/15/12, 9:41 AM
Bob Ellison said...: Danger, store fat. My local grocery has that on a government-mandated sign next to the bacon section.

Danger, store fat. When I hear gunshots, I instinctively put olive oil in the freezer.

Danger, store fat. When the economy goes bad, I vote for Democrats.; 5/15/12, 9:45 AM
ndspinelli said...: Maybe the First Lady should have Ambien distributed gratis by the government to all obese people.; 5/15/12, 10:12 AM
kjbe said...: I know when I'm tired, my self-discipline wanes and I can gravitate toward comfort foods (and I don't feel like doing anything, i.e. exercising). I guess that might make a line from wanting to feel comfortable, to safe, to not-in-danger. I dunno...; 5/15/12, 10:36 AM
n.n said...: It prevents the body from properly completing its processes when it is not otherwise providing for conscious activities.; 5/15/12, 10:48 AM
Wince said...: My gut tells me he's on to something.; 5/15/12, 10:56 AM
Anonymous said...: Shift workers tend toward obesity and other health issues. It's unnatural to be awake during the hours of darkness. There is data out there regarding hours of light on the retina, melatonin production and insomnia.

Many years of working third shift in the hospitals ruined my circadian rhythm.; 5/15/12, 11:24 AM
raf said...: Eating is a good way to keep awake while driving (for example) when sleep-deprived.; 5/15/12, 11:26 AM
ndspinelli said...: raf, Amphetamines are much better.; 5/15/12, 11:28 AM
Anonymous said...: The mechanics of sleep deprivation and it's consequences

Interesting!; 5/15/12, 11:48 AM
The Crack Emcee said...: We are thinking about this whole subject in the wrong manner, and as long as we do so, it'll keep getting worse.

Unfortunately, cultish thinking isn't malleable,...; 5/15/12, 12:07 PM
shirley elizabeth said...: I gained weight through college. Given the options of sleep, social life, and school and only able to choose two I chose the latter (although if I could add work to the list, I chose that, too). I assumed the weight gain came from eating to stay awake through late night essays and library stops. Or that my body was finally going through puberty.; 5/15/12, 12:08 PM
Wince said...: There's always a counterexample: a/k/a Keith Richards.; 5/15/12, 12:26 PM
ndspinelli said...: Allie, Interesting link, thanks.; 5/15/12, 2:39 PM
Anonymous said...: Pffft. It means "I'm nervous. Can't sleep. Where is ice cream or new cracker treats from Trader Joe's?"

WV: ectomons <---- uber womanly, no?; 5/15/12, 7:51 PM
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Wellness Philippines; 7/11/12, 1:58 AM