Sleep Deprivation Induces Metabolic Conditions for Obesity

  It is nearly common knowledge that there is a connection between sleep deprivation and obesity, yet there is much to be explored regarding how exactly sleep deprivation affects bodily functions, metabolism, and body mass. Given the rise in obesity and sleep deprivation among the American population and the fact that both are risk factors for different physical and mental illnesses, it is an area of scientific inquiry in need of research.   It is generally thought that sleep deprivation causes loss of metabolic function, which means more food is stored as fat; thus, obesity occurs. In Circadian Desynchrony and Health , Dr. Turek and Dr. Summa found numerous negative effects on metabolism due to the inability of healthy sleep function in mice. Using mice as the model organism, they tested mice with a mutation in the Clock core circadian gene, a pivotal gene for sleep function. Interestingly, after ten weeks of diet experimentation, the Clock-mutant mice developed significant...