Good sleep can support your weight loss journey, experts say

Need help sticking to your diet and exercise plan? A good night’s sleep may help, new research shows.

American Heart Association researchers examined the sleep habits of 125 adults who met criteria for being overweight or obese during a 12-month weight loss program. Sleep was measured on a 0-6 scale, with participants earning a point for each good measure of sleep, including regularity, satisfaction, alertness, timing, efficiency and duration.

The research team found that higher sleep scores were associated with better attendance at group interval sessions, adherence to daily caloric intake using a phone app and improved time spent performing moderate to vigorous physical activity.

Good sleep was defined as seven to nine hours a night with a regular wake time, waking refreshed and being alert throughout the day.

“This was a great example of showing how sleep isn’t just tied to weight itself,” said Michael A. Grander, director of the Sleep and Health Research Program at the University of Arizona. “It’s tied to the things we’re doing to manage our own weight.”