Excess weight affects almost 75% of adults monitored in Petrópolis; experts highlight the role of sleep

"It is very common for patients to arrive at the office believing that they are unable to exercise due to lack of discipline, when we are often faced with an exhausted body. Before demanding physical activity, we need to understand how this person is sleeping, because sleep interferes with mood, hormonal balance, hunger and the ability to adhere to treatment", he states. In recent years, sleep has come to be considered a fundamental part of the treatment of obesity, alongside a balanced diet, physical activity and medical approaches. This is because it has a direct influence on hormonal and metabolic mechanisms responsible for weight control. According to the expert, sleeping early and respecting the body's biological rhythm favors the adequate production of hormones linked to muscle recovery, cell repair and metabolic balance. For her, it is not enough to just sleep for many hours, but also to ensure a quality rest routine. "Sleep needs to be looked at as part of the treatment. There is no point just thinking about diet, exercise, medication or procedures if the patient sleeps chronically poorly. When we manage to recover the quality of sleep, they often have more energy to move and also improve their relationship with food", he explains. Impacts on the body Chronic sleep deprivation can cause hormonal changes and increase tiredness, reducing the willingness to practice physical activities. Furthermore, sleeping little is associated with increased hunger, the desire to consume foods rich in sugar and carbohydrates and a decreased feeling of satiety. Because of these impacts, obesity treatment may include hormonal investigation and strategies aimed at recovering sleep quality. In some cases, measures such as supplementation, medical monitoring and changes in habits help to restore more restful rest. The doctor also highlights that people who accumulate years of insufficient sleep may need a recovery period, during which the body demands more hours of rest. "Sometimes, the patient gets scared because they start sleeping more and think this is bad. Depending on the history, the body may simply be trying to recover from years of insufficient sleep. The important thing is to evaluate each case individually and understand what is behind this tiredness", he says. According to the expert, sleep recovery also contributes to the preservation of muscle mass, one of the main objectives of obesity treatment. Without energy to exercise, the risk of muscle loss during the weight loss process increases, which can make it difficult to maintain long-term results. Camila Teixeira emphasizes that medications and endoscopic procedures should be seen as complementary tools, and not as isolated solutions. “Endoscopic gastroplasty, like medications, can be a very important tool when well indicated, but it does not work in isolation. The objective is to treat obesity broadly and create conditions for the patient to be able to maintain results in the long term", she says. For the doctor, the treatment of obesity needs to consider different factors that influence health. In some cases, the first step to regaining energy and improving quality of life can start outside the gym and the kitchen, with an adequate sleep routine. READ ALSO: Violence worries gas station workers in Petrópolis Operation with the support of Canil K9 seizes more than 2 thousand portions of drugs in Teresópolis VIDEO: motorcyclist is thrown over a car and is seriously injured in an accident in Teresópolis