Weight gain induced by high-fat diet increases active-period sleep and sleep fragmentation

Research to be presented at the Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior (SSIB), the foremost society for research into all aspects of eating and drinking behavior, finds that prolonged exposure to a high-fat diet reduces the quality of sleep in rats.

Using radio-telemetry, the authors measured 24-hour sleep and wake states after rats consumed a high fat diet for 8 weeks. Compared to rats that consumed a standard laboratory chow, the rats on the high-fat diet slept more but sleep was fragmented. The increased of the rats on the high-fat diet occurred mainly during the normally active phase of the day, resembling observed in obese humans.

According to lead author, Catherine Kotz, "Studies in humans indicate a relationship between sleep quality and obesity. Our previous work in animals shows a link between good quality sleep, resistance to weight gain and increased sensitivity to orexin, a important in stabilizing sleep and wake states. The current studies show that after high-fat diet-induced weight gain in rats, sleep quality is poor and orexin sensitivity is decreased. These findings suggest that poor sleep associated with weight gain due to a high-fat diet may be a consequence of reduced orexin sensitivity".

These studies highlight the impact of weight gain on sleep quality and a potential underlying these diet and weight-gain induced changes in sleep behavior.

Provided by Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior
Citation: Weight gain induced by high-fat diet increases active-period sleep and sleep fragmentation (2012, July 10) retrieved 19 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-07-weight-gain-high-fat-diet-active-period.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

Molasses extract decreases obesity caused by a high-fat diet

 shares

Feedback to editors