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[Sleep alterations of obese night shiftworkers].
M O Stempfer1, J Di Nisi, A Machacek
1Laboratoire de Physiologie et de Psychologie Environnementales, CNRS, Strasbourg.
Comptes Rendus Des Seances De La Societe De Biologie Et De Ses Filiales
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Night shift work and obesity can alter sleep. This study found overweight minimally impacts slow-wave sleep during shortened nights due to shift work, with no effect on REM sleep.
Area of Science:
- Sleep Medicine
- Chronobiology
- Obesity Research
Background:
- Night shift work is known to disrupt circadian rhythms and sleep patterns.
- Obesity is frequently associated with sleep disturbances, but its specific impact on sleep architecture under shift work conditions is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether overweight status exacerbates sleep modifications induced by night shift work.
- To assess the influence of obesity on specific sleep stages, particularly slow-wave sleep and REM sleep, during experimentally shortened sleep periods.
Main Methods:
- A laboratory-based sleep study was conducted.
- Participants included 7 lean (reference) subjects and 7 obese subjects, matched for age and seniority.
- Sleep was monitored during a night shortened by simulated shift work, with analysis of sleep stages.
Main Results:
- Overweight status showed only a minor influence on slow-wave sleep during the shift work-induced shortened night.
- Obesity did not appear to significantly alter Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep duration or quality.
Conclusions:
- While night shift work impacts sleep, overweight does not seem to be a major aggravating factor for slow-wave sleep disruption in this context.
- Obesity does not significantly affect REM sleep in individuals undertaking night shift work.