Sleep, stress and weight: The overlooked trio affecting your metabolism

Veni E N

Feb 17, 2026

Health

Health

Most people who are trying to manage their weight focus mainly on diet plans and exercise routines.

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However, experts said that weight changes are often influenced by deeper lifestyle factors such as sleep quality and stress levels.

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When these are ignored, even sincere efforts toward weight loss may not produce the expected results.

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Dr S Jayaraman, Senior Consultant in Pulmonary Medicine at MGM Healthcare in Chennai, explained to South First that sleep, stress, and weight are closely connected.

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Chronic stress triggers the release of hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which can disturb sleep patterns and metabolic functions. This imbalance may either cause unexpected weight gain or weight loss, depending on how the body responds.