Sleep loss increases the risk of obesity through a combination of
effects on energy metabolism. This research, presented at the European
Congress of Endocrinology in Lisbon, will highlight how disrupted sleep
patterns, a common feature of modern living, can predispose to weight
gain, by affecting people’s appetite and responses to food and exercise.
In the 24/7 culture of the modern world, an increasing number of people
report routine reduced quality of sleep and several studies have
correlated sleep deprivation with weight gain. The underlying cause of
increased obesity risk from sleep disruption is unclear but may relate
to changes in appetite, metabolism, motivation, physical activity or a
combination of factors.
Dr Christian Benedict from Uppsala University, Sweden and his group have
conducted a number of human studies to investigate how sleep loss may
affect energy metabolism. These human studies have measured and imaged
behavioural, physiological and biochemical responses to food following
acute sleep deprivation. The behavioural data reveal that metabolically
healthy, sleep-deprived human subjects prefer larger food portions, seek
more calories, exhibit signs of increased food-related impulsivity,
experience more pleasure from food, and expend less energy.
The group’s physiological studies indicate that sleep loss shifts the
hormonal balance from hormones that promote fullness (satiety), such as
GLP-1, to those that promote hunger, such as ghrelin. Sleep restriction
also increased levels of endocannabinoids, which is known to have
appetite-promoting effects. Further work from Dr Benedict’s team shows
that acute sleep loss alters the balance of gut bacteria, which has been
widely implicated as key for maintaining a healthy metabolism. The same
study also found reduced sensitivity to insulin after sleep loss.
Dr Christian Benedict remarks, “Since perturbed sleep is such a common
feature of modern life, these studies show it is no surprise that
metabolic disorders, such as obesity are also on the rise.”
Although Dr Benedict’s work has shed light on how short periods of sleep
loss can affect energy metabolism, longer-term studies are needed to
validate these findings. The group are now investigating longer-term
effects and also whether extending sleep in habitual short sleepers can
restore these alterations in appetite and energy metabolism.
Dr Christian Benedict says, “My studies suggest that sleep loss favours
weight gain in humans. It may also be concluded that improving sleep
could be a promising lifestyle intervention to reduce the risk of future
weight gain.”
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