Springer Sleep Loss and Obesity: Intersecting Epidemics

This book offers a comprehensive review of the neurobiology of sleep, circadian timing and obesity, the deleterious health effects of sleep loss and obesity, and the associated social and medical costs in a range of patient populations and society at large. Review From the reviews:“This is a timely and comprehensive review of the effects of sleep loss and obesity. The book closely examines how both sleep loss and obesity are intersecting epidemics and provides a review of the neurobiology of sleep, circadian timing, and obesity. … The primary audience is readers interested in the field of sleep medicine … . This is a timely and noteworthy contribution to the field of sleep medicine that will be useful to all interested in this area.” (M. Isabel L. Crisostomo, Doody’s Review Service, October, 2012) From the Back Cover Sleep Loss and Obesity: Intersecting Epidemics  represents a major contribution to the field of sleep medicine.  It is a comprehensive review of the neurobiology of sleep, circadian timing and obesity, the deleterious effects of sleep loss and obesity on health. The number of individuals who are obese has reached alarming levels.  As a result, the incidence of Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, heart disease, and kidney failure have also increased.  The surgeon general estimates that the total annual cost of obesity in the US is about $117 billion.  This cost is expected to escalate significantly because the number of overweight and obese children is increasing rapidly.  Indeed, the new generation is expected to have a shorter life-span then their parents.  In addition, sleep loss is emerging as an important contributing factor to obesity.  People who sleep less or are sleep deprived tend to eat more, especially carbohydrates, and have a higher body mass index. Increased weight restricts the upper airway, causing obstructive sleep apnea and further sleep loss.  In the end there is a vicious cycle of weight gain and sleep loss.   In the past few years there has been a tremendous growth in our understanding of brain mechanisms controlling energy metabolism.  Interestingly the neurons regulating waking also regulate feeding.  There is also a mechanism that regulates the timing of feeding and sleep.  In shift-workers this system is likely to be disturbed, and this has an adverse impact on both feeding and sleep.   Sleep Loss and Obesity: Intersecting Epidemics is the first title to clearly examine how obesity and sleep loss are interacting epidemics. This fascinating title makes the link between energy metabolism, sleep and circadian timing; identifies poor sleep as a risk-factor for obesity in children and adults and offers treatment strategies for obstructive sleep apnea and obesity. This book will be a vital source of information for all physicians interested in sleep disorders and obesity. It will also be of value to neuroscientists, health system administrators, and policy makers.