Severe chronic insomnia is not associated with higher body mass index

Crönlein, Tatjana; Langguth, Berthold; Busch, Volker; Rupprecht, Rainer; Wetter, Thomas C.

doi:10.1111/jsr.12294

Cited by 34Sleep and related disordersSleep and Work-Related FatigueSleep and Wakefulness Research

Severe chronic insomnia is not associated with higher body mass index

Crönlein, Tatjana, Langguth, Berthold, Busch, Volker, Rupprecht, Rainer, Wetter, Thomas C.·2015·Journal of Sleep Research

DOI 10.1111/jsr.12294

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Abstract

Short sleep duration is widely considered to be a risk factor for weight gain, suggesting that patients suffering from sleep disorders are a risk group. Despite some positive preliminary data on patients with organic sleep disorders, empirical evidence for an increased body mass index in patients with insomnia is scarce. Two-hundred and thirty-three patients with a confirmed diagnosis of severe and chronic insomnia without co-morbidity showing objectively impaired sleep quality were compared with respect to their body mass index with control data derived from a representative population survey matched in gender and age. As a result, patients with insomnia showed a lower body mass index (23.8 kg m(-2) versus 27.1 kg m(-2) ; P < 0.0005). Our findings suggest that patients with chronic insomnia do not exhibit overweight. These data are a valuable educational tool to calm patients' fears about the consequences of insomnia, and contribute to the understanding of chronically disturbed sleep and weight regulation.

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Authors: Crönlein, T., Langguth, B., Busch, V., Rupprecht, R., & Wetter, T. C.
Affiliations: University of Regensburg (DE)
Corresponding author: Crönlein, Tatjana
ORCID: Crönlein, Tatjana
Langguth, Berthold
Rupprecht, Rainer
Wetter, Thomas C.
Venue: Journal of Sleep Research
Publisher: Wiley
Published: 2015-03-17
Volume: 24
Issue: 5
Pages: 514-517
ISSN: 0962-1105 (ISSN-L)
1365-2869
DOI: 10.1111/jsr.12294
OpenAlex: W2119888971
Cited by: 34
References: 14
Citations by year: 2025: 3 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 1
FWCI: 6.53
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations: Journal of Sleep Research (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
University of Regensburg Publication Server (University of Regensburg) (acceptedVersion)
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: chronic insomnia, body mass index, obesity, weight gain, sleep duration, sleep quality, body weight regulation, sleep disorders
MeSH terms: Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Body Weight, Chronic Disease, Female, Humans, Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders, Male, Middle Aged, Risk Factors, Sleep, Time Factors, Body Mass Index, Young Adult

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Severe chronic insomnia is not associated with higher body mass index

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