REVIEW PAPER
The relationship between sleep and obesity – literature review
1
Oncology Department, Dr. Jan Jonston Regional Multispecialty Hospital, Leszno, Poland
2
Internal Medicine and Cardiology Department with Internal Medicine and Cardiology Intensive Care Unit, Provincial Hospital, Poznań, Poland
Corresponding author
Józef Muszyński
Oddział onkologiczny, Wojewódzki Szpital Wielospecjalistyczny im. dr. Jana Jonstona w Lesznie, Polska
Oddział onkologiczny, Wojewódzki Szpital Wielospecjalistyczny im. dr. Jana Jonstona w Lesznie, Polska
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
Environmental toxicology (physical, chemical and biological factors)Health effects of social factors
ABSTRACT
Introduction and objective:
Obesity is a condition in which there is an excessive accumulation of body fat, resulting from an imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure. This is a significant health problem that can negatively affect the quality of sleep. At the same time, sleep disorders, such as sleep deficiency or poor quality sleep, can promote the development of obesity, creating a vicious cycle. The aim of the review is to collect and summarize recent scientific findings on the relationship between sleep disorders and obesity.
Abbreviated description of the state of knowledge:
Sources were obtained using PubMed and Google Scholar, using the key words: ‘obesity’, ‘insomnia’, ‘sleep disorders’. The review was conducted from October 2024 – January 2025. Currently, there is no clear consensus on whether it is obesity that leads to sleep disorders, or whether sleep disorders promote the development of obesity. With the change of lifestyle, a shorter and shorter sleep duration is observed. Obesity can impair the secretion of ghrelin and leptin, and interfere with melatonin production. Additionally, it predisposes to the occurrence of sleep apnea, which itself contributes to sleep disorders. Studies have shown a link between different bedtimes and obesity risk. People who sleep less, often have difficulty reducing weight.
Conclusions:
Obesity is a serious civilization problem that can lead to many disorders. Studies indicate its association with sleep disorders, although there is still no clear consensus on whether the relationship also works the other way round. What is known, however, is that obesity affects hormonal and anatomical disorders that can promote its further development. At the same time, an irregular sleep schedule is associated with an increased risk of obesity. It has been suggested that education, better sleep management, and an appropriate diet could improve sleep quality and thus support the treatment of obesity.
Obesity is a condition in which there is an excessive accumulation of body fat, resulting from an imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure. This is a significant health problem that can negatively affect the quality of sleep. At the same time, sleep disorders, such as sleep deficiency or poor quality sleep, can promote the development of obesity, creating a vicious cycle. The aim of the review is to collect and summarize recent scientific findings on the relationship between sleep disorders and obesity.
Abbreviated description of the state of knowledge:
Sources were obtained using PubMed and Google Scholar, using the key words: ‘obesity’, ‘insomnia’, ‘sleep disorders’. The review was conducted from October 2024 – January 2025. Currently, there is no clear consensus on whether it is obesity that leads to sleep disorders, or whether sleep disorders promote the development of obesity. With the change of lifestyle, a shorter and shorter sleep duration is observed. Obesity can impair the secretion of ghrelin and leptin, and interfere with melatonin production. Additionally, it predisposes to the occurrence of sleep apnea, which itself contributes to sleep disorders. Studies have shown a link between different bedtimes and obesity risk. People who sleep less, often have difficulty reducing weight.
Conclusions:
Obesity is a serious civilization problem that can lead to many disorders. Studies indicate its association with sleep disorders, although there is still no clear consensus on whether the relationship also works the other way round. What is known, however, is that obesity affects hormonal and anatomical disorders that can promote its further development. At the same time, an irregular sleep schedule is associated with an increased risk of obesity. It has been suggested that education, better sleep management, and an appropriate diet could improve sleep quality and thus support the treatment of obesity.
ABBREVIATIONS
BMI – Body Mass Index; CPAP – Continuous Positive Air-way Pressure; OSA – Obstructive Sleep Apnea
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| eISSN: | 2084-6312 |
| ISSN: | 1505-7054 |
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