Beware: Insufficient Sleep Can Trigger Increased Appetite and Obesity

Insufficient sleep affects far more than causing daytime fatigue and drowsiness. Dr Astri Budikayanti, a neurology specialist from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Indonesia - Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (FKUI-RSCM), has warned that inadequate sleep duration disrupts hormonal balance and triggers increased appetite, raising the risk of obesity.

During an online health discussion in Jakarta on Monday, 16 March, Astri explained that there is a strong connection between the body’s metabolic system and a person’s rest patterns. When sleep time is reduced, the body naturally seeks energy compensation from other sources, including food.

“When we sleep insufficiently, our body requires more energy. As a result, hormones that trigger hunger increase, causing us to want to eat continuously,” said Astri.

If allowed to persist over the long term, this condition can become a significant risk factor for weight gain.

Therefore, Astri emphasised that maintaining adequate sleep patterns is crucial for maintaining ideal weight, alongside proper diet and exercise.

Regarding duration, Astri recommended that adults meet a minimum sleep time of six hours each night. However, the most ideal duration remains in the range of seven to eight hours.

Beyond duration, sleep quality also plays an important role, determined by sleep phases throughout the night. Sleep comprises two major phases, and disruption to these phases can directly affect how refreshed a person feels upon waking.

“If these sleep phases are disrupted, someone may wake up feeling unrefreshed or even as if they haven’t slept at all,” she added.

Furthermore, poor sleep quality is known to reduce cognitive ability and memory capacity.

Given the physical and mental health risks at stake, Astri urged the public to begin maintaining consistent sleep patterns. People are advised to avoid habits that damage sleep quality, such as frequent all-nighters or excessive use of electronic devices shortly before bed.

By maintaining sleep discipline, the body’s metabolism is expected to remain stable and obesity risk can be reduced. The prevalence of obesity in Indonesia among residents aged around 18 years has increased from 21.8% in 2018 to 23.4% in 2023.