How lack of sleep may increase the risk of obesity

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Friday, November 19, 2010 1:08 pm Email this article
"Sleep deprivation may influence the development of obesity through several possible biological pathways including increased sympathetic activity [ that is, increased adrenaline and noradrenaline ], elevated cortisol [ stress hormone ] and ghrelin levels, decreased leptin and growth hormone, and/or impaired glucose tolerance," according to a recent paper according to a recent review by researchers at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

“Hormonal changes may contribute to selection of calorie-dense food, excessive food intake, changes in energy expenditure, and insulin resistance,” the paper continues.

“Other potential mechanisms are effects of sleep deprivation on basal metabolic rate, thermic effect of food and non-exercise activity thermogenesis.

“Laboratory studies in adults have revealed a potential mechanism for the association between sleep deprivation and weight gain.

“Findings of our meta-analysis based on epidemiologic evidence provide more supportive data on the proposed biological mechanism.”

REFERENCE

Chen X, Beydoun M, Wang Y. Is sleep duration associated with childhood obesity? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2008 Feb, 16(2):265-74.

AUTHOR’S CONTACT INFORMATION

Youfa Wang
Department of International Health
Center for Human Nutrition
Bloomberg School of Public Health
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
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