SLEEP DEPRIVATION AND EATING HABITS: A LITERATURE REVIEW OF THE IMPACTS LATE NIGHT SNACKING HABITS ON HEALTH

Abstract

Many adults in the United States have dysregulated sleep schedules, often staying awake late into the night and not getting quality sleep. Sleep deprivation and nocturnal wakefulness have been shown to cause negative effects on the mind and body, leading to an increased risk of dysregulated behaviors and impulsivity. This, in turn, can have an impact on a person’s eating habits, specifically what and when they eat. Late-night snacking can be a result of nocturnal wakefulness, which can ultimately lead to excess weight gain due to a positive energy balance. With the obesity epidemic that also plagues the United States, it is important to determine the link between sleep deprivation and obesity to lead people toward living a healthy lifestyle. Both obesity and sleep deprivation have been linked to a plethora of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, hypertension, mental health issues, and diabetes. This review aims to determine how the effects of nocturnal wakefulness and sleep deprivation can affect one’s eating habits and risk of weight gain.