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Association Between Weekend Catch-up Sleep and Lower Body Mass: Population-Based Study.
Hee-Jin Im1, Shin-Hye Baek2,3, Min Kyung Chu4
1Department of Neurology, Korea University Anam Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Sleep
|May 20, 2017
Summary
Catching up on sleep during weekends may help lower body mass index (BMI). Sleeping longer on weekends is associated with a reduced BMI, suggesting a strategy to combat obesity from sleep loss.
Area of Science:
- Sleep science
- Obesity research
- Public health
Background:
- Sleep duration is a critical factor in metabolic health.
- Weekend catch-up sleep (CUS) is a common behavior in the general population.
- The impact of CUS on body mass index (BMI) remains incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between weekend catch-up sleep (CUS) and body mass index (BMI).
- To determine if the amount of CUS influences BMI in a general population sample.
Main Methods:
- A stratified random sample of 2156 adults was analyzed.
- Data collected via face-to-face interviews included sleep patterns, BMI, and sociodemographic factors.
- Weekend CUS was quantified as nocturnal sleep extension on weekends compared to weekdays.
Main Results:
- Individuals engaging in weekend CUS had a significantly lower BMI compared to those who did not.
- The association between weekend CUS and lower BMI was dose-dependent.
- Each additional hour of weekend CUS was linked to a 0.12 kg/m2 decrease in BMI.
Conclusions:
- Weekend sleep extension may offer protective biological effects against obesity.
- CUS could be a simple, population-level strategy to mitigate the adverse effects of sleep restriction on weight.
- Further research into the mechanisms underlying this protective effect is warranted.
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