Sleep Extension Increases the Effect of Caloric Restriction Over Body Weight and Improves the Chronic Low-Grade...

Diminution of sleep may be associated with obesity. However, evidence that extending sleep duration might favor weight loss is insufficient. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of dietary restriction with or without prescription of sleep extension on weight loss in adolescents with obesity.

A total of 52 adolescents with obesity (24 males and 28 females) received a diet with 500 calories restriction, randomly allocated to groups without (n = 27) and with sleep extension (n = 25) for 4 weeks. We collected data on anthropometry, caloric intake, and self-reported sleep diaries. Serum interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor α, leptin, and insulin levels were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Cortisol and 6-sulfatoxymelatonin excretions were measured in the first urine collection in the morning by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Measurements were carried out at baseline and at the end of the intervention.

After diet, weight decreased in both groups. Sleep extension, improved weight loss (p < .00001), and waist girth reduction (p = .00003), with diminution of insulin (p = .002) and interleukin 6 levels (p = .02). Caloric restriction was less effective in adolescent females. No differences in cortisol or 6-sulfatoxymelatonin excretion were found.

A sleep extension favors weight loss in adolescents under caloric restriction and improves inflammation and metabolic conditions, thus supporting a possible additional benefit to diet in the treatment of obesity in adolescents.