Sleep Extension and Insulin Sensitivity in Adolescents

BACKGROUND: The influence of sleep extension on glucose homeostasis in adolescents at risk for type 2 diabetes is unknown. This issue is of high clinical relevance given the high prevalence of sleep deprivation in this population and the accumulating body of evidence indicating that having a good night's sleep is important for the prevention of chronic diseases including type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if extending sleep duration improves insulin sensitivity in adolescents presenting with risk factors for type 2 diabetes.

HYPOTHESIS: It was hypothesized that compared with decreasing sleep duration, increasing sleep duration by 1.5 hours over 1 week will improve insulin sensitivity.

METHODS: Using a randomized, counterbalanced, 2-condition crossover design, 30 obese adolescents between 13 and 18 years of age who have insulin resistance will complete the study. Participants will sleep their typical amount at home for 1 week and will then be randomized to either increase or decrease their time in bed by 1.5 hours per night for 1 week, completing the alternate schedule on the fourth week (washout period of at least 1 week between sleep conditions). This procedure will result in a targeted 3-hour time in bed difference between conditions. Sleep will be objectively measured using actigraphy (Actiwatch) and sleep schedule adherence will be promoted by providing fixed bedtimes and wake times during the experimental weeks, and will be monitored through phone calls to the research center. Participants will also be compensated for keeping the sleep schedule and daily calls to enhance adherence. The outcome measures will then be compared between both sleep conditions at the end (on day 8 of each study week). The primary outcome measure will be insulin sensitivity as measured by the Matsuda index (total body insulin sensitivity). Secondary outcomes will include the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), blood lipids, food intake and physical activity. Repeated measures analysis using the mixed model will be used to assess the effect of the two sleep interventions on insulin sensitivity.

RELEVANCE: The study will provide the first robust clinical evidence to determine if increasing sleep duration in youth at risk for type 2 diabetes improves insulin sensitivity. This information will be essential for clinical and public health guidelines for type 2 diabetes prevention among adolescents.