Association of self-reported sleep duration with eating behaviors of American adults: NHANES 2005–2010 , , ,

Abstract

Background: Published evidence suggests an inverse association between sleep duration and body weight status. Objective: We examined the association of sleep duration with eating behaviors reported by adult Americans to understand the relation between sleep duration and body weight status. Design: This cross-sectional study used sleep duration and dietary data from the continuous NHANES conducted from 2005 to 2010 (n = 15,199, age $20 y). Eating behaviors examined included the following: reporting of and energy from main meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and snacks (before breakfast, after dinner, and after 2000 h), intermeal intervals, time of day of main meal reporting, and intakes of macronutrients and beverages. Multiple regression methods were used to examine the independent association of hours of sleep duration grouped as short (#6 h), average (7-8 h), and long ($9 h) with eating behavior outcomes. Results: Relative to average-duration sleepers, a smaller percentage of short-duration sleepers mentioned breakfast, lunch (women only), and dinner in the recall (P # 0.04). They also reported a lower mean percentage of energy from main meals but higher energy from all snacks (P # 0.0004) and after 2000 h (P = 0.03). Short-duration sleepers reported the earliest eating time of the first episode and the latest time of the last eating episode. Absolute amounts of sugar and caffeine and percentage of energy from beverages (women only) were higher in short-duration sleepers. However, the total number of eating episodes and energy intake were not related with sleep duration. Conclusions: Short-duration sleepers began eating earlier and ended their eating later in the day, but despite the longer eating period, they did not report more eating events. Profiles of the relative contribution of main meals and snacks, at or after 2000 h eating, and beverages in shortduration sleepers were suggestive of eating behaviors that may increase energy intake, but 24-h energy intake did not differ among categories of sleep duration.Am J Clin Nutr 2014;100:938-47.

Determinants of Shortened, Disrupted, and Mistimed Sleep and Associated Metabolic Health Consequences in Healthy Humans

“…Greater differences in sleep occurrence between weekdays and weekends have been associated with increased obesity risk (29). A recent study investigated self-reported sleep duration and its relation to the eating patterns of ;15,000 adult Americans (30). In comparison with average sleepers (habitual sleep duration between 7 and 8 h), short sleepers (i.e., those reporting #6 h of sleep per night) were found to consume breakfast earlier and have fewer main meals but instead consume a higher number of snacks after dinner and have a higher energy intake after 2000 h. Later sleep timing has also been associated with a higher BMI, with late sleepers (defined as having a sleep midpoint $0530 h) having shorter sleep duration and consuming more calories both at dinner and after 2000 h (31).…”

Overtime, Shift Work, Poor Sleep and the Effects on Obesity: A Public Health Problem

“…Rather, studies have demonstrated changes in eating choices, such as a greater proportion of caloric intake from beverages and snacks, which may be associated with sleep loss [32]. It is likely that behavioural changes influencing weight status may be dependent on acute versus chronic sleep deprivation.…”

“…Research to-date has been inconclusive regarding changes in lifestyle behaviours such as increased caloric intake and lack of exercise [32,34]. Rather, studies have demonstrated changes in eating choices, such as a greater proportion of caloric intake from beverages and snacks, which may be associated with sleep loss [32].…”

“…Interactions between external and environmental factors (ex: long work days, commute time) with internal factors may share a complex relationship activating physiological pathways [29]. Other commonly proposed mechanisms attempting to explain this relationship include: changes in eating habits [32], changes in hormone regulation altering serum ghrelin and leptin levels causing increased appetite [33], greater fatigue reducing physical activity levels [34], and physiological changes in inflammatory pathways [35,36] and metabolism [37].…”

Eating Decisions Based on Alertness Levels After a Single Night of Sleep Manipulation: A Randomized Clinical Trial

“…[1][2][3] Cross-sectional and prospective data show that short-duration sleepers have modified eating behaviors, including altered within-day eating timing, 4,5 increased snacking behavior, 4,6 and increased calories from beverages. 4 Controlled, prospective research demonstrates an increase in caloric intake on the day following one 7 to several nights 5,8,9 of partial sleep restriction in normal weight adults. While it is common for self-reported hunger to increase after sleep deprivation, 10,11 some studies show no difference in hunger between the sleep-rested and sleep-deprived conditions, despite difference in food selection behavior.…”