Thoughts on the Association Between Sleep and Obesity

The rising prevalence of obesity in both adults and children is among the most important current public health issues worldwide. Lifestyle modifications involving increased exercise and dietary modifications for maintenance of healthy weight are frequently promoted by pediatricians, but there is limited evidence to show efficacy.1 This makes the identification of other modifiable factors to prevent childhood obesity of great importance. Recent studies in diverse populations and various age groups have confirmed associations between shorter sleep duration or poor sleep quality and increased risk of obesity.2–13 Furthermore, recent data document an inverse correlation between sleep duration in children and risk markers for type 2 diabetes that persists after adjusting for differences in adiposity and differences in physical activity.14 Given the increasing evidence linking sleep habits and obesity, it is essential to understand the nature of this association. Theories … Address correspondence to Nicole Glaser, MD, Section of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, 2516 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95817. E-mail: nsglaser{at}ucdavis.edu