Sleep, Disturbances of Sleep, Stress and Obesity: A Narrative Review

Introduction: Obesity is a burgeoning health problem with few successful strategies to counter this epidemic or to truly comprehend preventable aspects of the problem. Objective: The present objective was to examine an increasing volume of research on obesity, stress, and sleep deprivation, and the possible implications of this research for obesity prevention. Methods: Data from major electronic data bases extending from 2000-2015 using the key words-stress, sleep, obesity, eating practices, and health were used to extract relevant peer reviewed literature and basic information. English language articles related to the topic were accepted if they discussed one of the issues of interest and were peer reviewed. Findings: A reasonable body of evidence documents an association between stress, abnormal eating behaviors, sleep deprivation and obesity, although not necessarily in that order. Conclusion: Teasing out the differential role of these overlapping factors and heightening public awareness of their linkages is of potential utility in efforts to prevent or reduce the obesity epidemic at both the individual and national level.