The Sleep Zone: 6 – 7 Hours A Night for Health, Fitness

Posted on October 22, 2010 by Maggie Vink

A new study finds that both too little and too much sleep can lead to weight problems and raises the risk of heart problems and diabetes. The study, which looked at men and women under 40 years old, found that getting less than six hours of sleep or more than seven  hours significantly increased body mass index (BMI) and abdominal body fat.

Fat stored around the abdomen and waist has been associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes and hormonal cancers.

People who reported sleeping five hours or less each night also consumed more total calories than either those with normal sleep patterns or those who slept more than eight hours per night, which also could point to the increased weight and other risk factors.