Sleep deprivation and obesity in adults: a brief narrative review

Background/aims Obesity and sleep deprivation are two epidemics that pervade developed nations. Their rates have been steadily rising worldwide, especially in the USA. This short communication will explore the link between the two conditions and outline the proposed mechanisms behind their relations...

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Main Authors: Christopher B Cooper, Eric V Neufeld, Brett A Dolezal, Jennifer L Martin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2018-12-01
Series:BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine
Online Access:https://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/4/1/e000392.full
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author Christopher B Cooper
Eric V Neufeld
Brett A Dolezal
Jennifer L Martin
author_facet Christopher B Cooper
Eric V Neufeld
Brett A Dolezal
Jennifer L Martin
author_sort Christopher B Cooper
collection DOAJ
description Background/aims Obesity and sleep deprivation are two epidemics that pervade developed nations. Their rates have been steadily rising worldwide, especially in the USA. This short communication will explore the link between the two conditions and outline the proposed mechanisms behind their relationship.Methods Studies on the topic of sleep and obesity were reviewed, and findings were used to develop a theoretical model for the biological link between short sleep duration and obesity.Results Individuals who regularly slept less than 7  hours per night were more likely to have higher average body mass indexes and develop obesity than those who slept more. Studies showed that experimental sleep restriction was associated with increased levels of ghrelin, salt retention and inflammatory markers as well as decreased levels of leptin and insulin sensitivity.Conclusions There may be a link between obesity and sleep deprivation. We recommend further investigations are to elucidate the potential mechanisms.
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series BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine
spelling doaj-art-8b9c8bec33db415a82be3b21cbdbd4732025-08-20T02:17:06ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine2055-76472018-12-014110.1136/bmjsem-2018-000392Sleep deprivation and obesity in adults: a brief narrative reviewChristopher B Cooper0Eric V Neufeld1Brett A Dolezal2Jennifer L Martin31 Exercise Physiology Research Laboratory, Departments of Medicine and Physiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA1 Exercise Physiology Research Laboratory, Departments of Medicine and Physiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA1 Exercise Physiology Research Laboratory, Departments of Medicine and Physiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA2 Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, California, USABackground/aims Obesity and sleep deprivation are two epidemics that pervade developed nations. Their rates have been steadily rising worldwide, especially in the USA. This short communication will explore the link between the two conditions and outline the proposed mechanisms behind their relationship.Methods Studies on the topic of sleep and obesity were reviewed, and findings were used to develop a theoretical model for the biological link between short sleep duration and obesity.Results Individuals who regularly slept less than 7  hours per night were more likely to have higher average body mass indexes and develop obesity than those who slept more. Studies showed that experimental sleep restriction was associated with increased levels of ghrelin, salt retention and inflammatory markers as well as decreased levels of leptin and insulin sensitivity.Conclusions There may be a link between obesity and sleep deprivation. We recommend further investigations are to elucidate the potential mechanisms.https://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/4/1/e000392.full
spellingShingle Christopher B Cooper
Eric V Neufeld
Brett A Dolezal
Jennifer L Martin
Sleep deprivation and obesity in adults: a brief narrative review
BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine
title Sleep deprivation and obesity in adults: a brief narrative review
title_full Sleep deprivation and obesity in adults: a brief narrative review
title_fullStr Sleep deprivation and obesity in adults: a brief narrative review
title_full_unstemmed Sleep deprivation and obesity in adults: a brief narrative review
title_short Sleep deprivation and obesity in adults: a brief narrative review
title_sort sleep deprivation and obesity in adults a brief narrative review
url https://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/4/1/e000392.full
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