Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2026
06:39
Through-the-Wall Blood Sampling Method to Minimize Sleep Disruption in Clinical Settings
Published on: June 13, 2025
Longitudinal associations between sleep duration and subsequent weight gain: a systematic review
1Doctoral Program in Population Health and Clinical Outcomes Research, Department of Preventive Medicine, HSC Level 3, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8338, USA. lorrie.magee@stonybrook.edu
Sleep Medicine Reviews
|July 26, 2011
Summary
Short sleep duration consistently predicts weight gain in children. However, the link between sleep duration and weight gain in adults remains unclear, with potential confounding factors needing further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Sleep duration is a critical factor in overall health.
- Weight gain is a growing public health concern globally.
- Understanding the relationship between sleep and weight is crucial for preventative strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review observational longitudinal studies on sleep duration and subsequent weight gain.
- To identify patterns and inconsistencies in the sleep-weight relationship across different age groups.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review was conducted on 20 longitudinal studies.
- Studies published between 2004 and October 2010 were included.
- Data from adult and child populations were analyzed separately.
Main Results:
- Thirteen studies involving adults showed inconsistent results regarding sleep duration and weight gain.
- Seven studies with children consistently indicated a positive association between short sleep duration and weight gain.
- Short sleep duration appears to be a significant predictor of weight gain in pediatric populations.
Conclusions:
- Shorter sleep duration is a consistent predictor of subsequent weight gain in children.
- The relationship between sleep duration and weight gain in adults is not clearly established.
- Limitations include diminishing associations over time, unaddressed confounding variables (e.g., sedentary behavior), and measurement issues.
Related Concept Videos
01:13Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation
Insufficient sleep refers to not getting the recommended amount of sleep for optimal functioning, even if it's just slightly less than needed. Sleep insufficiency may occur due to lifestyle choices, such as staying up late for social events or work, resulting in routinely getting less sleep than required. For example, consistently sleeping 6 hours when the body needs 7-9 hours can lead to cumulative effects on health and well-being.
Sleep deprivation is a more severe form of sleep loss...
Sleep deprivation is a more severe form of sleep loss...
01:21Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing stops intermittently during sleep, often leading to significant health issues. Each episode can last from 10 to 20 seconds or more and is frequently accompanied by a brief arousal from sleep. This disturbance, largely unnoticed by the individual, can lead to severe daytime fatigue. Commonly, individuals seek help after being informed by their partners about loud snoring and noticeable breathing pauses during sleep.
The condition is more prevalent among...
The condition is more prevalent among...
01:24Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
02:20Longitudinal Research
Sometimes we want to see how people change over time, as in studies of human development and lifespan. When we test the same group of individuals repeatedly over an extended period of time, we are conducting longitudinal research. Longitudinal research is a research design in which data-gathering is administered repeatedly over an extended period of time. For example, we may survey a group of individuals about their dietary habits at age 20, retest them a decade later at age 30, and then again...
01:11Understanding Sleep
Sleep, an essential biological state, involves significant reductions in physical activity, sensory awareness, and interaction with the environment. This complex physiological process is primarily regulated by specific brain regions, notably the hypothalamus and pons, which govern the sleep-wake cycle or circadian rhythm.
The circadian rhythm, a nearly 24-hour cycle, is deeply influenced by environmental light cues. Light exposure directly affects the hypothalamus, which in turn regulates...
The circadian rhythm, a nearly 24-hour cycle, is deeply influenced by environmental light cues. Light exposure directly affects the hypothalamus, which in turn regulates...
01:24Sleep-Wake Cycles
Sleep is an essential physiological process vital to maintaining overall well-being. The reticular activating system (RAS), a network of neurons in the brainstem, regulates wakefulness and sleep. While it may seem passive, sleep consists of distinct cycles, each with its unique characteristics and functions. Two key sleep phases are non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM).
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge: