Less sleep means more snacking = fat

People who get less sleep tend to eat more snacks, according to a new study.

Dr. Plamen Penev of the University of Chicago studied 11 volunteers in 14-day studies. At least three months apart, they were given 5½ hours or 8½ hours to sleep in a room with not much to do but plenty of snacks that they could eat at their will. When they had the shorter times in bed, they consumed more energy from snacks, including eating more carbohydrates.

The author said that longer exposure to unlimited food and changes in reward seeking and motivation may underlie the increased consumption of snacks associated with a lack of sleep.