You may not be aware of the substantial impact sleep can have on your appetite. During a period of a rising prevalence of obesity and diabetes, sleep durations are significantly decreasing over time, suggesting a possible relationship between restricted sleep and appetite problems and weight gain. This trend has inspired research to find just how much sleep can affect the hormonal systems involved with hunger.

Appetite is controlled by two opposing hormones, one that is appetite stimulating and one that is appetite inhibiting. The hormone leptin is appetite inhibiting and promotes a feeling of satiety. Ghrelin is appetite stimulating and increases food intake and appetite. Although these two hormones exert opposite effects, they are both regulated during sleep under normal circumstances.

Research has demonstrated the effect sleep deprivation has on leptin levels. A 2004 study at the University of Chicago showed that those who were restricted to 4 hours of sleep for a week had an average of 19% lower leptin levels than those who had 12 hours of sleep. Subsequent studies were conducted to evaluate sleep deprivation’s effect on gherlin levels, hunger, and appetite.

Another study conducted at the University of Chicago in 2004 showed that ghrelin levels were 28% higher in those who were restricted sleep to 4 hours than those who had sleep extension, or 10 hours of sleep. Those who were in the restricted sleep condition also experienced a heightened appetite for carbohydrate rich foods. These results led to the conclusion that the changes in the hormones leptin and ghrelin are responsible for an increase in appetite and hunger.

If you are currently experiencing an increased appetite and hunger, it is important to evaluate your sleep pattern and determine if you are getting an adequate amount of sleep for your body to function properly. Making a small change such as sleeping an hour or two longer each night can have a substantial impact on your body’s ability to maintain weight and normalize appetite.

References:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/sleep-newzzz/201310/the-connection-between-sleep-and-appetite (accessed on 04/02/2016)

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC535424/ (accessed on 04/02/2016)

http://www.sleepdex.org/appetite2.htm (accessed on 04/02/2016)

http://www.runnersworld.com/newswire/how-sleep-deprivation-affects-appetite (accessed on 04/02/2016)

Spiegel K, Tasali E, Penev P, Van Cauter E. Brief Communication: Sleep Curtailment In Healthy Young Men Is Associated With Decreased Leptin Levels, Elevated Ghrelin Levels, and Increased Hunger and Appetite. Ann Intern Med. 2004;141(11):846-50.

Spiegel K, Leproult R, L’hermite-Baleriaux M, Copinschi G, Penev PD, Van Cauter E. Leptin Levels Are Dependent On Sleep Duration: Relationships With Sympathovagl Balance, Carbohydrate Regulation, Cortisol, and Thyrotropin. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2004;89(11):5762-71.

Knutson KL. Impact Of Sleep and Sleep Loss On Glucose Homeostasis and Appetite Regulation. Sleep Med Clin. 2007;2(2):187-197.

Van Cauter E, Knutson K, Leproult R, Spiegel K. The Impact of Sleep Deprivation on Hormones and Metabolism. Medscape Neurology. 2005;7(1).

Prinz P. Sleep, Appetite, and Obesity—What Is the Link? PLoS Medicine. 2004;1(3):e61. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.0010061.

Harvard Medical School: “Sleep, Performance, and Public Safety,” “Sleep, Learning, and Memory,” “Sleep and Mood.”

Allison T. Siebern, PhD,Insomnia and Behavioral Sleep Medicine Program, Stanford University Sleep Medicine Center, Redwood City, Calif.