Concomitant changes in sleep duration and body weight and body composition during weight loss and 3-mo weight maintenance

Background: An inverse relation between sleep duration and body mass index (BMI) has been shown.Objective: We assessed the relation between changes in sleep duration and changes in body weight and body composition during weight loss.Design: A total of 98 healthy subjects (25 men), aged 20–50 y and with BMI (in kg/m2) from 28 to 35, followed a 2-mo very-low-energy diet that was followed by a 10-mo period of weight maintenance. Body weight, body composition (measured by using deuterium dilution and air-displacement plethysmography), eating behavior (measured by using a 3-factor eating questionnaire), physical activity (measured by using the validated Baecke's questionnaire), and sleep (estimated by using a questionnaire with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale) were assessed before and immediately after weight loss and 3- and 10-mo follow-ups.Results: The average weight loss was 10% after 2 mo of dieting and 9% and 6% after 3- and 10-mo follow-ups, respectively. Daytime sleepiness and time to fall asleep decreased during weight loss. Short (≤7 h) and average (>7 to