London, Dec 5 (IANS): Scientists have linked inadequate sleep to mood disturbances and lower quality of life in extremely obese people, said a study.

"There was a clear association between the sleep problems such as short sleep duration, and the psychological disorders, and with quality of life," said G. Neil Thomas, lead supervisor, study methodology lead, and reader in epidemiology at the Department of Public Health, Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Birmingham in Britain.

The study results appear in the December issue of the journal Sleep, reports the Science Daily.

"This study emphasizes the need for physicians to conduct routine screenings for sleep problems among people with severe obesity," said M. Safwan Badr, president of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

"Improving sleep quality, and quantity will provide a physical, mental, and emotional boost for people, who are making the difficult lifestyle changes involved in managing obesity."