A new study has found that regularly cutting sleep short by just 90 minutes a night can lead to measurable weight gain within weeks, underlining how even modest, sustained sleep loss may affect body weight. The research adds to growing evidence linking insufficient sleep to metabolic and lifestyle-related health problems, suggesting that sleep duration deserves as much attention as diet and exercise in weight management.

The study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine and conducted by researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, found that adults who slept around 90 minutes less each night over a six-week period gained roughly one pound on average, compared with periods when they got adequate rest. The findings also linked shorter sleep to an increased waistline, reinforcing the connection between sleep deprivation and weight gain. Health experts generally recommend adults aim for seven to nine hours of sleep per night for optimal health and longevity.