Adolescent sleep and food cravings: randomized controlled trial of a sleep intervention

This randomized pilot study examined the relationships between objectively measured sleep characteristics and food cravings in adolescents and examined whether a brief sleep intervention would reduce food cravings from baseline to post-intervention compared to an active control group.

A community sample of 51 adolescents aged 13-17 years old were randomized to complete a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) sleep intervention or a study skills control intervention. The sleep intervention involved one telehealth CBT session, while the control group completed one telehealth CBT session to improve study skills. Sleep was assessed using actigraphs and adolescents reported on food cravings using a validated questionnaire at baseline and post-intervention.

Sleep fragmentation, but not sleep duration, was a significant predictor of food cravings at baseline, controlling for age, β = 0.35, t = 2.41, p = 0.02, 95% CI [0.01-0.11]. The sleep intervention significantly reduced food cravings from baseline to post-intervention compared to the control group (significant time × intervention interaction, F(1, 45) = 4.30, p = 0.044, partial η² = 0.09, medium effect).

The results of this study support the relationship between poor sleep quality and more frequent food cravings, as well as the preliminary efficacy of a brief, CBT-based sleep intervention in reducing food cravings. The brief and digital delivery of this intervention enhances its accessibility.