A new study from the University of Helsinki was published in the International Journal of Obesity and found that middle-aged women who suffer from sleep disorders are more likely to have weight problems than women who get eight hours of nightly sleep. Previous studies have established a link between weight gain and a lack of sleep, but this study was unique in that it suggested that the sleep problems actually preceded the weight gain of the study subjects. Approximately 7,300 adults between the ages of 40 and 60 took part in the seven-year study.

Did you Know?
Obesity causes as much preventable disease and death as smoking.

Step to Take
Re-think the term diet resolution as a “health resolution.” Control your weight to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke.

The cost of health care expenses related to obesity has more than doubled over the last decade. In fact, according to the research of government sponsored programs, health care costs for obesity are expected to exceed $140 billion dollars a year.

Complications of one’s health are directly correlated to a person’s body mass index (BMI). BMI is the ratio of a person’s weight in kilos to the square of their height in meters. An individual is considered to be overweight if their BMI exceeds 25, and once their BMI reaches 30 they are classified as being obese.