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Cited by 338Sleep and related disordersSleep and Wakefulness ResearchSleep and Work-Related Fatigue

Short sleep duration as a possible cause of obesity: critical analysis of the epidemiological evidence

Nielsen, L. S., Danielsen, K. V., Sørensen, T. I. A.·2011·Obesity Reviews
DOI 10.1111/j.1467-789x.2010.00724.x
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Abstract

Systematic literature search for epidemiological evidence for an association of short sleep with weight gain and eventual development of obesity provided 71 original studies and seven reviews of various subsets of these studies. We have summarized the evidence for such an association with particular emphasis on prospective studies. The studies showed that short sleep duration is consistently associated with development of obesity in children and young adults, but not consistently so in older adults. We have identified critical aspects of the evidence, and assessed the possibility for interpretation of the evidence in terms of causality. We have discussed the requirement of temporal sequence between putative exposure and outcome and the implications of the time lag between them, the problems in adequate measurements of exposure and effects, the possible bidirectional causal effects, the necessary distinction between confounders and mediators, the possible confounding by weight history, and the possibility of common or upstream underlying causes. In conclusion, causal interpretation of the association is hampered by fundamental conceptual and methodological problems. Experimental studies may elucidate mechanisms, but adequate coverage of the entire pathway from sleep curtailment through obesity development is not feasible. Randomized trials are needed to assess the value of targeted interventions.

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Crossref · 10.1111/j.1467-789x.2010.00724.x

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91 of 91 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is affected by experimental sleep restriction.

    “Because the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulates a wide range of physiologic processes and is affected by experimental sleep restriction, it is a putative key mediator of the adverse health effects of insufficient sleep (3–11).”

    From Adverse effects of two nights of sleep restriction on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in healthy men (2014) · cites this paper as [6]

  • The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is a putative key mediator of the adverse health effects of insufficient sleep.

    “Because the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulates a wide range of physiologic processes and is affected by experimental sleep restriction, it is a putative key mediator of the adverse health effects of insufficient sleep (3–11).”

    From Adverse effects of two nights of sleep restriction on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in healthy men (2014) · cites this paper as [6]

  • The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis regulates a wide range of physiologic processes.

    “Because the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulates a wide range of physiologic processes and is affected by experimental sleep restriction, it is a putative key mediator of the adverse health effects of insufficient sleep (3–11).”

    From Adverse effects of two nights of sleep restriction on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in healthy men (2014) · cites this paper as [6]

  • Habitual short sleep, usually 6 hours or less, is linked in epidemiological studies to increased mortality and increased prevalence and incidence of numerous pathological conditions including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, vulnerability to infection, depression, and anxiety.

    “Habitual short sleep, usually 6 hours or less, has been linked in epidemiological studies to increased mortality and increased prevalence and incidence of numerous pathological conditions including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, vulnerability to infection, depression, and anxiety (3–10).”

    From Adverse effects of two nights of sleep restriction on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in healthy men (2014) · cites this paper as [6]

  • The weak association may be partly due to measurement error because sleep and weight were self-reported in nearly all epidemiologic studies.

    “However, this may be the consequence, at least in part, of measurements errors since both sleep and weight assessments were based on self-reports in nearly all epidemiologic studies [119].”

    From Sleep and metabolic function (2012) · cites this paper as [119]

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Authors
Nielsen, L. S., Danielsen, K. V., & Sørensen, T. I. A.
Affiliations
  • Copenhagen University Hospital (DK)
  • University of Copenhagen (DK)
Corresponding author
Sørensen, T. I. A.
ORCID
Danielsen, K. V.
Venue
Obesity Reviews
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2011-01-24
Volume
12
Issue
2
Pages
78-92
ISSN
  • 1467-7881 (ISSN-L)
  • 1467-789X
DOI
10.1111/j.1467-789x.2010.00724.x
OpenAlex
W1490698460
Cited by
338
References
91
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 19 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 24 · 2016: 32 · 2015: 26 · 2014: 34 · 2013: 31 · 2012: 41
FWCI
4.02
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations
  • Obesity Reviews (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research at the University of Copenhagen (University of Copenhagen) (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and related disorders
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Sleep and Wakefulness Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and Work-Related Fatigue
Keywords
short sleep duration, obesity, weight gain, causality, temporal sequence, confounding, mediation, bidirectional causality, weight history, children and young adults, older adults, sleep interventions
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Age Factors, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Child, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Obesity, Risk Factors, Sleep Deprivation, Weight Gain, Young Adult

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