Lack Of Sleep Leaves Men Hungrier, Prevents Women Feeling Full

Sleeping more at night may result in reduced food intake, however, the hormonal process is experienced by men and women differently.

The finding came from a team of researchers led by Marie-Pierre St-Onge, PhD, FAHA, and was published in the journal SLEEP.

Previous research has found other sex differences associated with reduced sleep. A different report, also in the same journal, showed that females who do not get enough sleep have a higher chance of heart disease and heart-related issues than males who also are not sleeping enough.

St-Onge explained:

"Restricting sleep in healthy, normal weight participants has limited effects on metabolic risk factors and may affect food intake regulating hormones differently in men and women. We were surprised by the lack of a significant effect of sleep on glucose and insulin, leptin, and sex differences in the hunger-stimulating hormone ghrelin and the satiety hormone GLP-1."

The study consisted of 27 males and females of average weight, all between the ages of 30 and 45. For each subject, the scientists analyzed glucose dysregulation, sleep duration, and hormone regulation of appetite.

A fasting blood draw was provided by each participant, and there were two sleep conditions in which they were observed: short, which was considered 4 hours, or habitual, which was considered 9 hours.

Results showed:

• Total ghrelin levels were increased by short sleep in men, but not women.
• GLP-1 levels reduced with short sleep in women, but not in men.

According to the researchers, this sex difference had not been reported until now.

The results indicate that the tendency to eat too much during short sleep is associated with:

• women feeling less full
• men having an increased appetite

St-Onge said:

"Our results point to the complexity of the relationship between sleep duration and energy balance regulation. The state of energy balance, whether someone is in a period of weight loss or weight gain, may be critical in the metabolic and hormonal responses to sleep restriction."

This controlled clinical research is one of the largest ever conducted on the impact of reduced sleep on hormonal regulation of food intake, the authors said.

The study provides evidence that sleep duration has an influence on weight control and energy intake, the team concluded.

Written by Sarah Glynn
Source:TOI