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

• Published in: Current diabetes reports 2021-02, Vol.21 (2), p.4-4, Article 4
• Main Authors: Simon, Stacey L., Higgins, Janine, Melanson, Edward, Wright, Kenneth P., Nadeau, Kristen J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Diabetes; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - epidemiology; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - etiology; Eating; Energy Metabolism; Humans; Insulin resistance; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Psychosocial Aspects (S Jaser; Psychosocial Aspects (S Jaser, Section Editor); Section Editor; Sleep; Sleep Deprivation - complications; Teenagers; Topical Collection on Psychosocial Aspects; Weight Gain
• ISSN: 1534-4827; 1539-0829
• DOI: 10.1007/s11892-020-01373-1

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.