Poor sleep linked to unhealthy eating behaviours and higher obesity risk, UK study finds

A large UK study involving more than 27,000 adults has found that poor-quality and short sleep are strongly linked to eating behaviours associated with increased obesity risk, including comfort eating, snacking on sweets and overeating.

The analysis, led by researchers from Loughborough University and the University of Leicester, examined self-reported sleep habits alongside real-world eating behaviours in 27,263 adults across the UK. The study, published in the journal Appetite, found that people who slept poorly or for fewer than seven hours per night were more likely to eat in response to stress, boredom or low mood.

Participants with the poorest sleep quality had up to 3.5 times higher odds of stress- or boredom-related eating. Short sleepers showed 47 per cent higher odds of skipping meals and 24 per cent higher odds of overeating. Poor sleep was also associated with more frequent consumption of fried foods and sweet snacks.

In contrast, people who slept for more than eight hours tended to show fewer impulsive eating patterns and consumed fried foods and sweet snacks less often, despite some increase in comfort eating.

Researchers say the findings suggest sleep quality and duration may play an important role in shaping everyday eating behaviours, regardless of current body weight. While the study cannot confirm cause and effect, it adds to growing evidence that improving sleep should be considered alongside diet and physical activity in public health approaches to obesity prevention.