A Model of Adolescent Sleep Health and Risk for Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

Purpose of Review This paper presents a review of the current literature in support of a model explaining the relationships between sleep health and risk for type 2 diabetes in adolescents. Recent Findings Short sleep duration is associated with risk of developing obesity in youth. Sleep restriction increases energy expenditure, but also increases hunger, appetite, and food intake, causing positive energy balance, impacting appetite-regulating hormones, and leading to increased eating late at night. Insufficient sleep may lead to reduced physical activity and greater sedentary behaviors. In addition, short sleep duration is associated with reduced insulin sensitivity. The cumulative negative consequences of insufficient sleep increase risk for type 2 diabetes. Applications to clinical care, public policy, and future research are discussed. Summary Insufficient sleep in adolescence increases risk for type 2 diabetes directly through impact on insulin sensitivity and indirectly through increased dietary intake, sedentary activity, and weight gain.

ISPAD Clinical Practice Consensus Guidelines 2022: Type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents

“…In a cohort of Canadian youth with T2D preliminary data have shown an indirect link between adverse mental health and early evidence of renal dysfunction. 256 Although depression and anxiety have not been linked directly to blood glucose and HbA1c levels, their association with health-related behaviors such as regular medication use, 257,258 readiness for behavioral change, 253 disordered eating 41,259,260 and worse sleep hygiene 261,262 are expected to indirectly impact diabetes outcomes. Mental health co-morbidity is associated with all cause hospitalization and mortality 263,264 in adults living with T2D, suggesting a potential role for mental health supports to improve outcomes of youth with T2D.…”

Metabolic Disturbances Induced by Sleep Restriction as Potential Triggers for Alzheimer’s Disease

“…In humans, other conditions such as obesity (Simon et al, 2021), circadian disruption (Bolsius et al, 2021), changes in gut microbiota (Ekundayo et al, 2021), and sleep disturbances like obstructive apnea (Siachpazidou et al, 2020) coexist with sleep restriction, which makes it difficult to separate the effects of sleep restriction from the others. In addition, these conditions have a direct relationship with sleep quality, which further promotes the coexistence of these factors.…”

Das Schlafverhalten von Jugendlichen in unterschiedlichen ländlichen Wohnumgebungen

“…Fast ein Drittel der 11-bis 17-Jährigen berichten von Schwierigkeiten ein-und 15.8 % durchzuschlafen [4]. Diese Zahlen sind alarmierend, da Schlafprobleme mit einer verminderten kognitiven und akademischen Leistungsfähigkeit [5] sowie einem höheren Risiko für das Auftreten verschiedener Erkrankungen, wie Depression [6] Adipositas [7] und Diabetes [8], assoziiert sind.…”