What Role Does Sleep Play in Weight Gain in the First Semester of University?

Behav Sleep Med. 2015;13(6):491-505. doi: 10.1080/15402002.2014.940109. Epub 2014 Aug 12.

Abstract

We hypothesized that shorter sleep durations and greater variability in sleep patterns are associated with weight gain in the first semester of university. Students (N = 132) completed daily sleep diaries for 9 weeks, completed the MEQ (chronotype) and CES-D (depressed mood) at week 9, and self-reported weight/height (weeks 1 & 9). Mean and variability scores were calculated for sleep duration (TST, TSTv), bedtime (BT, BTv), and wake time (WT, WTv). An initial hierarchical regression evaluated (block 1) sex, ethnicity; (block 2) depressed mood, chronotype; (block 3) TST; (block 4) BT, WT; and (block 5; R(2) change = 0.09, p = 0.005) TSTv, BTv, WTv with weight change. A sex-by-TSTv interaction was found. A final model showed that ethnicity, TST, TSTv, and BTv accounted for 31% of the variance in weight change for males; TSTv was the most significant contributor (R(2) change = 0.21, p < 0.001). Daily variability in sleep duration contributes to males' weight gain. Further investigation needs to examine sex-specific outcomes for sleep and weight.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Depression
  • Ethnicity
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Self Report
  • Sex Characteristics
  • Sleep / physiology*
  • Students* / psychology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Time Factors
  • Universities*
  • Weight Gain / physiology*
  • Young Adult