Plain-English Summary

Spiegel sleep curtailment in 12 healthy young men. Sleep restriction was associated with decreased leptin, increased ghrelin, and higher hunger and appetite ratings.

Key Findings

• Sleep restriction was associated with decreased leptin, increased ghrelin, and higher hunger and appetite ratings.
• Appetite increased especially for calorie-dense foods with high carbohydrate content.

Limitations

• Small study.
• Only young healthy men.
• Did not measure energy expenditure.

Why It Matters

Sleep restriction was associated with decreased leptin, increased ghrelin, and higher hunger and appetite ratings.

Viral Vitalism Verdict

Useful evidence, bounded by design: Small study.

Sources

1. Sleep curtailment is associated with decreased leptin, elevated ghrelin, and increased hunger - Annals of Internal Medicine