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Short sleep duration and food intake: an overview and analysis of the influence of the homeostatic and hedonic system

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Abstract

Purpose

Explore the different mechanisms that support the effect of short sleep duration on food intake.

Methods

This is a narrative review made with articles from the PubMed/MEDLINE database using the following MeSH terms: “sleep,” “eating,” “appetite regulation,” and “obesity.”

Results

From this search, 2883 articles were found. Among them, 63 articles were selected based on the title. Then, the abstract was read, and 42 studies were excluded, and, therefore, 21 studies were obtained from the search by PubMed and 25 articles obtained by hand search. Finally, 46 articles comprised this review. Homeostatic, is the main mechanism related to short sleep duration and food intake, which consists of ghrelin increase and leptin decrease. However, some studies, even with these hormonal changes, did not observe an increase in food intake, and other, even if they did not observe any hormonal changes, verify an increase in food intake. This result seems to be attributed to the hedonic system, which controls the reward mechanisms.

Conclusion

Short sleep duration increases food intake; however, it is unclear which major mechanism determines this phenomenon. It is believed that these systems interact, contributing to food intake increases and worsening food choices, which, over time, seems to contribute to the positive energy balance and obesity.

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Abbreviations

CVS:

cardiovascular disease

SAH:

systemic arterial hypertension

DM:

diabetes mellitus

OSAS:

obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

BMI:

body mass index

n:

number

m2 :

square meters

am:

morning

pm:

afternoon

kg:

kilogram

h:

hour

DA:

dopamine

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Acknowledgments

Nutrition Course at the São Camilo University Center and the Postgraduate Course in Sports Nutrition and Wellness at the São Camilo University Center.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pós-Graduação de Nutrição Esportiva em Wellness do, Centro Universitário São Camilo, Avenida Nazaré, 1501, São Paulo, 04263-200, Brazil

    Natálie Brito Gissoni & Marcus Vinicius Lucio dos Santos Quaresma

  2. Curso de Nutrição, Centro Universitário São Camilo, Avenida Nazaré, 1501, São Paulo, 04263-200, Brazil

    Marcus Vinicius Lucio dos Santos Quaresma

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  1. Natálie Brito Gissoni
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Correspondence to Marcus Vinicius Lucio dos Santos Quaresma.

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Gissoni, N.B., dos Santos Quaresma, M.V.L. Short sleep duration and food intake: an overview and analysis of the influence of the homeostatic and hedonic system. Nutrire 45, 8 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41110-019-0111-8

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