Cited by 1,505Sleep and related disordersSleep and Work-Related FatigueSleep and Wakefulness Research

Short Sleep Duration and Weight Gain: A Systematic Review

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Patel, Sanjay R., Hu, Frank B.·2008·Obesity

Abstract

Objective: The recent obesity epidemic has been accompanied by a parallel growth in chronic sleep deprivation. Physiologic studies suggest sleep deprivation may influence weight through effects on appetite, physical activity, and/or thermoregulation. This work reviews the literature regarding short sleep duration as an independent risk factor for obesity and weight gain. Methods and Procedures: A literature search was conducted for all articles published between 1966 and January 2007 using the search “sleep” and (“duration” or “hour” or “hours”) and (“obesity” or “weight”) in the MEDLINE database. Additional references were identified by reviewing bibliographies and contacting experts in the field. Studies reporting the association between sleep duration and at least one measure of weight were included. Results: Thirty‐six publications (31 cross‐sectional, 5 prospective, and 0 experimental) were identified. Findings in both cross‐sectional and cohort studies of children suggested short sleep duration is strongly and consistently associated with concurrent and future obesity. Results from adult cross‐sectional analyses were more mixed with 17 of 23 studies supporting an independent association between short sleep duration and increased weight. In contrast, all three longitudinal studies in adults found a positive association between short sleep duration and future weight. This relationship appeared to wane with age. Discussion: Short sleep duration appears independently associated with weight gain, particularly in younger age groups. However, major study design limitations preclude definitive conclusions. Further research with objective measures of sleep duration, repeated assessments of both sleep and weight, and experimental study designs that manipulate sleep are needed to better define the causal relationship of sleep deprivation on obesity.

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Crossref · 10.1038/oby.2007.118

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  • Prospective epidemiologic studies indicate that insufficient sleep is associated with a higher risk of insulin resistance, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.

    “Insufficient sleep increases the risk for insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and obesity, suggesting that sleep restriction may impair peripheral metabolic pathways.”

    From Impaired Insulin Signaling in Human Adipocytes After Experimental Sleep Restriction: A Randomized, Crossover Study (2012) · cites this paper as [9]

    The prospective cohort studies section reports that short sleep duration is associated with increased weight gain and obesity risk. The review does not establish increased risk of insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes; its epidemiology discussion also says a causal link between short sleep and obesity remains to be established. The citing sentence’s causal wording therefore overstates the review. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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  • How much television people watch and how long they sleep might affect energy intake, energy output, or both.

    “In addition, the duration of television viewing and of sleep may influence energy consumption, energy expenditure, or both.15–19”
  • Decreases in sleep duration are concordant with the U.S. obesity epidemic.

    “Decreases in sleep duration are concordant with the U.S. obesity epidemic.18,19,53”
  • Data from cross-sectional studies and some prospective studies, including a prior analysis of NHS data, support the relationship of shorter sleep duration with obesity.

    “Data from cross-sectional studies and some prospective studies, including a prior analysis of NHS data, support the relationship of shorter sleep duration with obesity.18”
  • Similar findings have been seen in other cohorts and for other outcomes, including development of diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome.

    “Similar findings have been seen in other cohorts and for other outcomes, including development of DM and metabolic syndrome.103–109”

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Authors
Patel, S. R., & Hu, F. B.
Affiliations
  • University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center (US)
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital (US)
Corresponding author
Patel, Sanjay R.
Venue
Obesity
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2008-03
Volume
16
Issue
3
Pages
643-653
ISSN
  • 1930-7381 (ISSN-L)
  • 1930-739X
OpenAlex
W1969312874
Cited by
1,505
References
55
Citations by year
2026: 27 · 2025: 47 · 2024: 53 · 2023: 64 · 2022: 69 · 2021: 87 · 2020: 98 · 2019: 93 · 2018: 84 · 2017: 108 · 2016: 115 · 2015: 111 · 2014: 113 · 2013: 123 · 2012: 92
FWCI
7.83
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Obesity (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • American Heart Association
  • National Institutes of Health (DK46200, CA 87969)
  • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (HL 081385, K08HL081385)
  • National Cancer Institute (CA-87969, P01CA087969)
  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (R01DK058845, P30DK046200, DK58845)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and related disorders
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and Work-Related Fatigue
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Sleep and Wakefulness Research
Keywords
short sleep duration, sleep deprivation, weight gain, childhood obesity, adult obesity, appetite, physical activity, thermoregulation, age differences
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Age Factors, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Child, Chronic Disease, Cross-Sectional Studies, Humans, Middle Aged, Obesity, Prospective Studies, Risk Factors, Sleep Deprivation, Time Factors, Weight Gain, Risk Assessment, Overweight

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