Did You Know?

Facts on sleeping the weight off, computer screens may increase the risk of glaucoma and obesity increases the risk of dementia.

By PT Staff, published on January 27, 2005 - last reviewed on January 24, 2007

Sleep the Weight Off

There is a surprisingly strong link between the amount of sleep people get and their risk of becoming obese. In a 2005 study, those who got less than four hours of sleep a night were 73% more likely to be obese than those who got the recommended seven to nine hours of rest. Those who got six hours were 23% more likely to be overweight. Sleep deprivation may affect both appetite and the ability to make healthy eating choices.

Don't Stare!

Hours in front of a computer screen may increase the risk of glaucoma in people who are myopic (or short-sighted)—which, is just about everyone over 40. A Japanese study found that myopic workers with a history of long-term computer use have an increased risk of visual field abnormalities, possibly related to glaucoma, which is caused by damage to the optic nerve and results in blind spots. Short-sighted people may have optic nerves that are especially vulnerable to computer stress.

Fat Body, Thin Brain

Here's another downside of obesity—it seems to increase the risk of dementia. Women who are obese throughout life are more likely to lose brain tissue, particularly in the temporal lobe area. This kind of deterioration has been linked to cognitive decline. It's not clear yet how obesity leads to dementia; it may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, which then could do the damage.

$710 million

The amount Americans spent on Vitamin E in 2003, making it the second most popular individual vitamin (behind Vitamin C.) A 2005 study shows, however that, taking high doses of Vitamin E increases risk of death.