Drop a few pounds and it will lead to a good night’s sleep, new Johns Hopkins research has found.
As the body loses fat, particularly belly fat, people are able to sleep better, Hopkins doctors found when following 77 people over six months.
The improvement in sleep quality was experienced by those who lost weight through diet as well as those who combined a healthy diet with exercise.
Study participants had type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes and were all overweight or obese. They were randomly assigned to one of two groups — one focused on diet, the other exercise and diet.
Both groups lost about 15 pounds on average and 15 percent of belly fat.
Good sleep is important for good overall health, including both physical and mental, the Hopkins scientists said.
The study was funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
— By Andrea K. Walker, The Baltimore Sun