Which statement best reflects the role of sleep quality in metabolic regulation?

Which statement best reflects the role of sleep quality in metabolic regulation?

• A. Sleep quality has no effect on energy balance
• B. Poor sleep quality reduces leptin
• C. Poor sleep quality increases insulin resistance
• D. Sleep quality has no effect on ghrelin

Answer: (B)

Sleep quality shapes metabolic regulation by altering hormones that control hunger and energy use. When sleep is poor, leptin levels tend to fall. Leptin signals the brain to stop eating, so lower leptin weakens satiety cues and can lead to increased appetite and higher energy intake, contributing to a positive energy balance over time. This direct effect on a key appetite signal makes the statement that poor sleep reduces leptin the best reflection of how sleep quality influences metabolism. While other effects of sleep loss exist—such as potential increases in ghrelin and insulin resistance—the leptin change most precisely captures a central mechanism linking sleep to energy balance.

Sleep quality shapes metabolic regulation by altering hormones that control hunger and energy use. When sleep is poor, leptin levels tend to fall. Leptin signals the brain to stop eating, so lower leptin weakens satiety cues and can lead to increased appetite and higher energy intake, contributing to a positive energy balance over time. This direct effect on a key appetite signal makes the statement that poor sleep reduces leptin the best reflection of how sleep quality influences metabolism. While other effects of sleep loss exist—such as potential increases in ghrelin and insulin resistance—the leptin change most precisely captures a central mechanism linking sleep to energy balance.