Do all sedentary activities lead to weight gain: sleep does not.
OBJECTIVE
To discuss the benefits of having a good night's sleep for body weight stability.


RESULTS
Experimental studies have shown that short-term partial sleep restriction decreases glucose tolerance, increases sympathetic tone, elevates cortisol concentrations, decreases the satiety hormone leptin, increases the appetite-stimulating hormone ghrelin, and increases hunger and appetite. Short sleep duration might increase the risk of becoming obese, because it does not allow the recovery of a hormonal profile facilitating appetite control. Lack of sleep could also lead to weight gain and obesity by increasing the time available for eating and by making the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle more difficult. Furthermore, the increased fatigue and tiredness associated with sleeping too little could lessen one's resolve to follow exercise regimens.


CONCLUSIONS
Short sleep duration appears to be a novel and independent risk factor for obesity. With the growing prevalence of chronic sleep restriction, any causal association between reduced sleep and obesity would have substantial importance from a public health standpoint. Future research is needed to determine whether sleep extension in sleep-deprived obese individuals will influence appetite control and/or reduce the amount of body fat.
Chaput
Jean-Philippe
JP
Department of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. jepc@life.ku.dk
Klingenberg
Lars
L
Sjödin
Anders
A
D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*; D012892:Sleep Deprivation / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000502:physiology*