Young women gain weight combining Internet, alcohol, and little sleep

William Atkins
Friday, 25 July 2008 20:19

Science - Health

The researchers found that the weight of the girls, on average went up faster with increased recreational use of the Internet, with decreased amounts of sleep, and with increased amounts of alcohol.

However, they also found that the weight of the girls was not affected—did not increase or decrease—when they drank coffee containing caffeine. In other words, coffee was found not to be a factor in weight gain or loss.

Specifically, they found that female subjects 18 years or old who slept five hours or less (on average) per night and who consumed two or more servings of alcohol per week gained more weight (in terms of BMI) than 18-year-or-older female subjects who slept eight hours per night and consumed less than two servings of alcohol per week.

In fact, the researchers found that the 18-year-old-or-older females gained, on average, four pounds (1.8 kilograms) over the one year-period when they did not get an adequate amount of sleep and when they drank more alcohol.

According to the abstract to their paper, the researchers concluded, “Older girls may benefit from replacing recreational Internet time with sleep and by avoiding alcohol.”

They also commented that, for example, a 19-year-old woman of average weight and height would gain 4 pounds (1.8 kilograms) if she were in the high-risk groups for Internet use, sleep, and alcohol consumption.

They suggested that spending recreational hours on the internet contributes to weight gain by reducing time spent doing physical activity.

Other comments from the researchers included the likelihood that sleep deprivation may make women (and men) less active during the day because of feelings of tiredness. In addition, insufficient sleep may also affect hormones and metabolism so that weight is more likely to be increased.