The role of sleep duration in the regulation of energy balance: effects on energy intakes and expenditure.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review of clinical intervention studies without systematic review methodology
PubMed 23319909 · doi:10.5664/jcsm.2348
What was done
This review evaluated clinical intervention studies examining the effects of experimental sleep restriction compared to normal sleep (typically 7–9 hours per night) on food intake, energy expenditure components, and appetite hormones (leptin and ghrelin) among normal sleepers.
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical data or effect sizes. Most reviewed studies found that restricting sleep increased food intake. Findings for energy expenditure were mixed. Results for leptin and ghrelin were conflicting, showing increased, reduced, or unchanged levels after sleep restriction compared to normal sleep.
Why it matters
It clarifies that the link between short sleep and weight gain is likely driven primarily by increased calorie intake rather than consistent changes in energy expenditure or appetite hormones.
Limits
The abstract reports no sample sizes, study counts, or quantitative pooling. The underlying trials are short-term with methodological differences in energy expenditure measurement, uncontrolled energy balance, and variable feeding schedules. The effect of sleep extension in short sleepers remains uncharacterized.
Cited by
- supports In a laboratory feeding study, participants consumed 300 calories more per day under short sleep conditions (4 hours time in bed) compared to adequate sleep.