Acute partial sleep deprivation increases food intake in healthy men.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Individual randomized crossover trial
PubMed 20357041 · doi:10.3945/ajcn.2009.28523
What was done
Twelve healthy young men (mean age 22 ± 3 years, mean body mass index 22.30 ± 1.83 kg/m²) completed a randomized two-condition crossover study. During the first night of each 48-hour session, subjects had either approximately 8 hours (midnight to 08:00) or approximately 4 hours (02:00 to 06:00) of sleep. All subsequent foods—jam on buttered toast for breakfast, a buffet for lunch, and a free menu for dinner—were eaten ad libitum. Physical activity was recorded by actimeter, and hunger, perceived pleasantness of foods, desire to eat, and sleepiness were assessed.
What was found
Compared with the 8-hour sleep condition, subjects consumed 559 ± 617 kcal (22%) more energy on the day following sleep restriction (P < 0.01). Preprandial hunger was significantly higher before breakfast (P < 0.001) and dinner (P < 0.05). Perceived food pleasantness and desire to eat did not change. Physical activity between 12:15 and 20:15 was higher following sleep restriction (P < 0.01), despite greater self-reported sleepiness (P < 0.01).
Why it matters
The study shows that even a single night of moderate sleep restriction directly increases voluntary calorie intake and hunger, supporting sleep debt as a behavioral driver of positive energy balance.
Limits
The sample size was very small (n = 12) and restricted exclusively to young, normal-weight men. The intervention was limited to a single night of acute sleep restriction, so findings cannot assess chronic sleep deprivation or generalize to women, older adults, or clinical populations.
Cited by
- context Losing just one to two hours of sleep for a single night significantly alters human eating behaviors.