Privação de sono, apetite e comportamento alimentar: uma revisão integrativa

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the effects of sleep deprivation and sleep restriction on eating behavior and the mechanisms related to appetite regulation. Method: This is an integrative literature review conducted using the PubMed/MEDLINE database, employing the descriptors “sleep”, “sleep deprivation”, “emotional eating”, “eating behavior”, “hunger”, and “appetite”, combined using the Boolean operators AND and OR. Original studies published between 2015 and 2025 in Portuguese, English, and Spanish were included, involving adults with sleep alterations and their relationship with eating behavior. Results: Ten studies were included, demonstrating that sleep deprivation and sleep restriction were associated with increased hunger, appetite, and food cravings, as well as hormonal changes related to appetite regulation, especially increased ghrelin levels. Greater consumption of palatable and energy- dense foods, changes in eating patterns, reduced physical activity, and increased sedentary behavior were also observed, factors that may contribute to changes in energy balance and a higher risk of obesity. Conclusion: Inadequate sleep was associated with hormonal, metabolic, and behavioral changes that influence eating behavior and favor less healthy dietary patterns.