What is a possible contributing factor to obesity?

Sleep deprivation is recognized as a significant contributing factor to obesity due to its various physiological and behavioral impacts. When an individual does not get enough sleep, several hormonal imbalances occur. Notably, the levels of ghrelin, the hormone that stimulates appetite, increase, while leptin, the hormone that signals satiety, decreases. This combination can lead to increased hunger and cravings for calorie-dense foods, ultimately resulting in greater food consumption.

Moreover, lack of sleep can affect metabolism and impair the body’s ability to process and store carbohydrates, leading to increased insulin resistance, which is linked to weight gain. Additionally, sleep deprivation often results in decreased energy levels, which can reduce physical activity and further contribute to weight gain.

While other factors like excessive exercise, proper hydration, and high metabolism can influence weight, they do not have the same strong correlation with obesity as sleep deprivation does. These other options either promote weight management or are not typically associated with an increase in body weight.