The present review investigates the role of sleep and its alteration in triggering metabolic disorders. The reduction of the amount of time sleeping has become an endemic condition in modern society and the current literature has found important associations between sleep loss and alterations in nutritional and metabolic aspects. Studies suggest that individuals who sleep less have a higher probability of becoming obese. It can be related to the increase of ghrelin and decrease of leptin levels, generating an increase of appetite and hunger. Sleep loss has been closely associated with problems in glucose metabolism and a higher risk for the development of insulin resistance and diabetes, and this disturbance may reflect decreased efficacy of the negativefeedback regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. The period of sleep is also associated with an increase of blood lipid concentrations, which can be intensified under conditions of reduced sleep time, leading to disorders in fat metabolism. Based on a review of the literature, we conclude that sleep loss represents an important risk factor for weight gain, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and dyslipidaemia. Therefore, an adequate sleep pattern is fundamental for the nutritional balance of the body and should be encouraged by professionals in the area.

No abstract

RESUMOA diminuição do tempo de sono tem se tornado uma condição endêmica na sociedade moderna, e a literatura atual tem encontrado importantes associações epidemiológicas entre o prejuízo no padrão habitual do sono e a obesidade. Com base nisso, a presente revisão analisou o papel do sono e da sua alteração no desencadeamento da obesidade. Diversos estudos indicam que os indivíduos que dormem menos têm uma maior possibilidade de se tornarem obesos, e que o encurtamento do sono aumenta a razão grelina/leptina, gerando o aumento do apetite e da fome. Isto pode estar associado à maior ingestão calórica e ao desencadeamento da obesidade. Dessa forma, um padrão adequado de sono torna-se fundamental para o controle da massa corporal, devendo ser incentivado pelos profissionais da saúde.

No abstract