ROLE OF SLEEP HYGIENE INTERVENTION IN FACILITATING WEIGHT REDUCTION IN AN OVERWEIGHT INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONAL: A CASE REPORT

Background: Sleep disturbances are increasingly recognized as important contributors to obesity and metabolic dysfunction. Poor sleep quality may impair hormonal regulation of appetite, increase caloric intake, reduce physical activity, and hinder weight-loss efforts. Case Presentation: A 28-year-old male Informati on Technology professional employed in Mumbai presented with obesity and persistent difficulty in achieving weight reduction despite adherence to dietary modifications and regular physical activity. His body weight was 98.3 kg at presentation. Detailed lifestyle assessment revealed inadequate sleep duration, irregular sleep timings, prolonged screen exposure before bedtime, and poor sleep quality. Intervention: The patient was advised a structured sleep hygiene protocol including fixed sleep and wake timings, restriction of screen exposure before bedtime, avoidance of late-night meals and stimulants, optimization of the sleep environment, and maintenance of a consistent sleep schedule. Existing dietary measures and physical activity were continued without major modifications. Outcome: Progressive improvement in sleep quality and duration was observed over the follow-up period. Over four months, the patient's body weight reduced from 98.3 kg to 72.0 kg, corresponding to a total weight reduction of 26.3 kg. The patient reported improved energy levels, better daytime functioning, and enhanced adherence to lifestyle measures. Conclusion: This case highlights the potential role of sleep hygiene optimization as an important adjunctive strategy in obesity management. Assessment and correction of sleep-related factors may enhance the effectiveness of conventional weight-loss interventions.