Sleep deprivation and metabolism

Rates of overweight and obesity have been progressively increasing along with associated disorders such as type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Concurrently, average sleep times have gradually decreased. The present chapter discusses evidence from both epidemiologic and laboratory studies suggesting that sleep deficiency may contribute to the increased prevalence of overweight and obesity, along with type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The most likely mechanisms linking insufficient sleep and overweight/obesity lie within the hypothalamic nuclei involved in modulating feeding and waking behaviors and involve dysregulation of peripheral factors that modulate neural activity in these nuclei. Moreover, the findings provide evidence that sleep deficiency does indeed impair glucose metabolism and alters the cross-talk between periphery and brain, favoring excessive food intake. A better understanding of the adverse effects of sleep deficiency on metabolism and the central nervous system control of hunger and appetite may have important implications for public health.