Modest sleep loss linked to weight gain in adults with high cardiometabolic risk

by American College of Physicians

edited by Sadie Harley, reviewed by Andrew Zinin

Sadie Harley

Scientific Editor

Meet our editorial team
Behind our editorial process

Andrew Zinin

Chief Editor

Meet our editorial team
Behind our editorial process Editors' notes

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

fact-checked

peer-reviewed publication

trusted source

proofread

The GIST Add as preferred source

A pooled analysis of two randomized trials found that decreasing sleep by just 1.5 hours each night was associated with increases in body weight, waist circumference and sedentary time in adults with elevated cardiometabolic risk.

The findings suggest that strategies to promote adequate sleep duration should be incorporated into weight management and cardiometabolic disease prevention programs. The results are published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

Researchers from Columbia University Irving Medical Center pooled data from two randomized crossover trials including 95 adults ages 20 and older with cardiometabolic risk factors who typically slept at least seven hours per night. Participants completed two sleep conditions: six weeks of usual sleep and six weeks of sleep reduced by 1.5 hours per night. The researchers measured changes in weight, waist circumference, body composition, activity levels and energy balance biomarkers.

During the sleep-restriction period, participants gained a small amount of weight, had slightly larger waist measurements and spent more time sedentary compared with when they had their usual sleep.

The findings indicate that prolonged modest reduction in sleep duration may contribute to gradual weight gain in adults at elevated risk for cardiometabolic disease, highlighting the importance of discussing sleep duration at health care visits.

Publication details

Prolonged Short Sleep and Its Effect on Body Weight and Composition: A Pooled Analysis of Randomized Trials, Annals of Internal Medicine (2026). DOI: 10.7326/ANNALS-25-01660

Journal information: Annals of Internal Medicine

Key medical concepts

Body WeightWaist Circumference

Clinical categories

Sleep medicinePreventive medicineSleep & RecoveryWeight managementFamily medicineHealthy living Provided by American College of Physicians Who's behind this story?

Sadie Harley

BSc Life Sciences & Ecology. Microbiology lab background with pharmaceutical news experience in oil, gas, and renewable industries. Full profile →

Andrew Zinin

Master's in physics with research experience. Long-time science news enthusiast. Plays key role in Science X's editorial success. Full profile →

Citation: Modest sleep loss linked to weight gain in adults with high cardiometabolic risk (2026, July 6) retrieved 6 July 2026 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-modest-loss-linked-weight-gain.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.