UNAIR NEWS – Obesity is a common public health problem and is increasingly affecting adolescents. The condition poses serious risks, as it can lead to a range of other health issues, including diabetes, elevated cholesterol levels, and high blood pressure.

Many contributing factors to adolescent obesity often go unnoticed, one of which is inadequate sleep. A lecturer from the Faculty of Medicine at Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), Dr. Nur Aisiyah Widjaja, MD, Sp.A(K), said that poor sleep habits can significantly raise the likelihood of developing obesity.

“Proper regulation of sleep schedules is essential, ideally with bedtime no later than 9 p.m. Starting around 8 p.m., the hormone melatonin, which regulates sleep, gradually increases. When sleep is delayed beyond 9 p.m., melatonin activity can be disrupted and replaced by increased levels of leptin, a hormone that triggers hunger and encourages snacking or eating,” she explained.

Late-night eating habits

Dr. Widjaja noted that staying up late is often accompanied by unhealthy night-time eating habits. Many adolescents consume instant noodles late at night, sometimes adding eggs as an extra ingredient. Fried foods are also a common choice for late-night snacks.

“Eating instant noodles at night is strongly discouraged because of their high calorie content, especially when combined with eggs, which add both protein and fat. These additions further increase calorie intake, particularly at night when the body is less physically active, significantly raising the risk of obesity,” she said.

In addition to its link to obesity, insufficient sleep is closely associated with stress. When individuals experience stress, the body releases cortisol, and elevated cortisol levels can interfere with melatonin production, which regulates sleep. For this reason, managing stress is as important as maintaining a healthy diet.

“Try to go to bed by 9 p.m., have your last meal by 7 p.m., and avoid overnight cramming for assignments. Paying attention to sleep duration is crucial, as poor sleep can trigger obesity and lead to metabolic syndrome, including the risk of diabetes, coronary heart disease, and other non-communicable diseases,” she concluded.

Author: Rifki Sunarsis Ari Adi

Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia