A good night’s rest supports optimal health – including a healthy heart and body weight. A study published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing found that women who lost and gained at least 10 pounds, at least once, throughout a year were more likely to have sleep disturbances. Examples of poor sleep patterns include taking longer to fall asleep, not sleeping as much or as well throughout the night, and experiencing insomnia. These associations persisted even after researchers controlled for factors that can influence body weight, such as pregnancy and menopause.
The authors note these findings may help health care workers identify women at risk for poor sleep health. They also note the study suggests that maintaining a healthy body weight could potentially help women get a better night’s rest. However, additional studies that explore the dual relationship between sleep and maintaining a healthy body weight are necessary.
The research was supported by the American Heart Association and the NHLBI.