Sleep Deprivation Effects On Weight Gain, Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes

Sleep deprivation, obesity and type 2 diabetes are more prevalent in today's society. Studies have shown that sleep deprivation effects are associated with increased risk of weight gain and obesity as well as type 2 diabetes.

Findings from laboratory studies are consistent with those from population-based epidemiologic studies showing that sleep deprivation is associated with increased risk of obesity in children and adults. The evidence suggests a possible role of sleep deprivation in the epidemic of obesity and obesity-related health problems.

What are sleep deprivation effects?

Sleep plays an important role in regulation of endocrine function and metabolism. In modern society, children and adults have shorter sleep duration compared to a few decades ago. Chronic sleep deprivation can have significant health risks.

Studies on sleep deprivation have shown that it can lead to metabolic and endocrine changes, including decreased glucose tolerance, decreased insulin sensitivity, increased levels of ghrelin and decreased levels of leptin as well as increased hunger and appetite. These metabolic and hormonal changes can lead to over-eating, weight gain and obesity.

• Leptin is an endocrine signal released by fat cells. It affects satiety and appetite. High levels of leptin inhibit hunger and food intake. Low levels of leptin stimulate hunger and food intake. This hunger-reducing hormone has been shown to be sensitive to sleep duration in a dose-response manner. Studies have shown that mean leptin levels were 19% lower when subjects had four-hour sleep periods compared to subjects that had twelve-hour sleep periods.
• Ghrelin is an endocrine signal primarily secreted by the stomach. High levels of ghrelin stimulates hunger. This hormone appears to act independently of leptin. Sleep deprivation was associated with increased levels of ghrelin and increased appetite. Sleep-deprived subjects particularly had strong appetite for high-carbohydrate foods.
• Sleep deprivation was associated with a nearly 40% decrease in glucose tolerance. This reduction of glucose tolerance was associated with decreased insulin sensitivity. The combination of these two metabolic defects indicates an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Reduction in insulin sensitivity is also associated with increased risk of weight gain and obesity.

These findings show that sleep deprivation is associated with increased risk of weight gain and obesity as well as diabetes.Taken together, the evidence suggests a possible role of sleep deprivation in the epidemic of obesity and obesity-related health problems.