Study on How Increasing Sleep Time Affects Blood Markers and Insulin Sensitivity in Adults with Overweight and Obesity

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are conducting a randomized controlled trial to study how extending sleep time affects blood markers called plasma ceramides and insulin sensitivity in adults who are overweight or obese and habitually sleep less than 6.5 hours per night. The trial aims to understand the impact of increasing time in bed on these health factors related to metabolism and lifestyle. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups a sleep extension group that receives counseling and instructions to increase time in bed by 2 hours per night, or a control group that receives general health information about diet and physical activity but maintains their usual sleep habits. The intervention lasts for 8 weeks, with both groups having equal contact with the study team. Sleep duration is monitored using a wrist device and daily electronic sleep logs throughout the study. Before starting, participants undergo an overnight sleep disorder screening and about one week of baseline sleep monitoring. After the intervention, participants complete overnight laboratory visits to assess plasma ceramides through targeted metabolomics and measure insulin sensitivity using a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. Additional outcomes include weekly changes in sleep time, sleep satisfaction, food timing, alertness, and body measurements. The total study duration includes baseline, 8 weeks of intervention, and post-intervention assessments.

Effect of Sleep Extension on Ceramides in People With Overweight and Obesity