Too Little Sleep Linked with Too Much Weight

Being tired isn't the only downside of not getting enough sleep. Evidence continues to show a correlation between lack of sleep and body weight. A recent study showed that people who sleep five hours a night are 73% more likely to become obese than those who sleep seven to nine hours a night.

Why?

It's possible that sleep loss may cause the hormones that control appetite to get out of balance.
Sleep deprivation also affects insulin and blood sugar levels - impacting metabolism and weight.
Another factor is that people reach for food to pick them up when they're overtired.

Other ailments linked to lack of sleep include diabetes, lowered immune system leading to a greater risk of infection, increased risk of colon and breast cancer - and driving while tired has proven to be as dangerous as driving while drunk.

How to get the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep a night?

Here's help from WebMd.