Relationship among nocturnal sleep deficit, excess weight and metabolic alterations in adolescents

Sleep modulates neuroendocrine function and metabolism; therefore, changes in sleep duration may lead to developing obesity during adolescence.

To assess the possible association among nocturnal sleep duration, the presence of overweight and metabolic alterations in a group of adolescents.

Cross-sectional, analytical study conducted at a school in Valencia, Venezuela, during the 2012-2013 school year. Participants were 12 to 17 year-old adolescents. A survey on nocturnal sleep duration was administered; weight, height and waist circumference were recorded; and glycemia, lipid profile and insulinemia levels were measured. Body mass index and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index were calculated.

Ninety adolescents were included. Compared to the group with normal weight, adolescents with excessive weight had, in average, fewer sleep hours Sundays through Thursdays (p < 0.05) and a higher rate of sleep deficit and sleep debt (p < 0.05). Low HDL cholesterol and insulin resistance was significantly associated with sleep debt (p < 0.05). Among adolescents with sleep debt, the risk of having excess weight was 2.70 times higher (95% CI= 1.09-6.72; p= 0.032) regardless of age, gender, sexual maturity, sleep deficit Sundays through Thursdays, and history of cardiovascular disease and diabetes in first-degree relatives.

Nocturnal sleep deficit and sleep debt were significantly associated with excess weight and metabolic alterations related to a high cardiometabolic risk.