Cited by 811Regulation of Appetite and ObesitySleep and Wakefulness ResearchSleep and related disorders

Impact of insufficient sleep on total daily energy expenditure, food intake, and weight gain

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Markwald, Rachel R., Melanson, Edward L., Smith, Mark R., Higgins, Janine, Perreault, Leigh, Eckel, Robert H., Wright, Kenneth P.·2013·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Abstract

Insufficient sleep is associated with obesity, yet little is known about how repeated nights of insufficient sleep influence energy expenditure and balance. We studied 16 adults in a 14- to 15-d-long inpatient study and quantified effects of 5 d of insufficient sleep, equivalent to a work week, on energy expenditure and energy intake compared with adequate sleep. We found that insufficient sleep increased total daily energy expenditure by ∼5%; however, energy intake—especially at night after dinner—was in excess of energy needed to maintain energy balance. Insufficient sleep led to 0.82 ± 0.47 kg (±SD) weight gain despite changes in hunger and satiety hormones ghrelin and leptin, and peptide YY, which signaled excess energy stores. Insufficient sleep delayed circadian melatonin phase and also led to an earlier circadian phase of wake time. Sex differences showed women, not men, maintained weight during adequate sleep, whereas insufficient sleep reduced dietary restraint and led to weight gain in women. Our findings suggest that increased food intake during insufficient sleep is a physiological adaptation to provide energy needed to sustain additional wakefulness; yet when food is easily accessible, intake surpasses that needed. We also found that transitioning from an insufficient to adequate/recovery sleep schedule decreased energy intake, especially of fats and carbohydrates, and led to −0.03 ± 0.50 kg weight loss. These findings provide evidence that sleep plays a key role in energy metabolism. Importantly, they demonstrate physiological and behavioral mechanisms by which insufficient sleep may contribute to overweight and obesity.

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  1. [32]32. Batterham RL, et al. (2003) Inhibition of food intake in obese subjects by peptide YY3- 36. N Engl J Med 349(10):941-948.

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Authors
Markwald, R. R., Melanson, E. L., Smith, M. R., Higgins, J., Perreault, L., Eckel, R. H., & Wright, K. P.
Affiliations
  • University of Colorado Boulder (US)
  • Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes,
  • University of Colorado Anschutz (US)
Venue
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Published
2013-03-11
Volume
110
Issue
14
Pages
5695-5700
ISSN
  • 0027-8424 (ISSN-L)
  • 1091-6490
OpenAlex
W2099096099
Cited by
810
References
50
Citations by year
2026: 31 · 2025: 51 · 2024: 39 · 2023: 55 · 2022: 68 · 2021: 77 · 2020: 65 · 2019: 63 · 2018: 76 · 2017: 60 · 2016: 88 · 2015: 53 · 2014: 60 · 2013: 23
FWCI
40.37
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Howard Hughes Medical Institute
  • National Institutes of Health (UL1TR000154, UL1TR001082, TR000154)
  • Directorate for Biological Sciences
  • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (R01HL109706)
  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (P30DK048520)
  • National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
  • Colorado Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (UL1 TR000154, TR000154)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Regulation of Appetite and Obesity
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Sleep and Wakefulness Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and related disorders
Keywords
insufficient sleep, total energy expenditure, dietary intake, weight gain, obesity, energy balance, ghrelin, leptin, peptide YY, circadian rhythm, melatonin, sex differences, dietary restraint, sleep deprivation, energy metabolism
MeSH terms
Adult, Analysis of Variance, Calorimetry, Circadian Rhythm, Eating, Energy Metabolism, Female, Humans, Male, Oxygen Consumption, Sleep Deprivation, Weight Gain

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