Changes in taste preference and steps taken after sleep curtailment

A substantial proportion of the population does not achieve the recommended amount of sleep. Previous work demonstrates that sleep alterations perturb energy balance by disrupting appetite hormones, increasing energy intake, and decreasing physical activity. This study explored the influence of sleep duration on taste perception as well as effects on dietary intake and physical activity. Participants (n = 24 habitual short sleepers and n = 27 habitual long sleepers, 82.4% female, 88.2% white, 25.2 ± 7.7 years) completed two randomized taste visits; one following short sleep duration (≤ 7 h) and one following long sleep duration (> 7 h). Taste perception measures included sweet and salt detection thresholds (ascending 3-alternative, forced-choice method), as well as sweet preference (Monell 2-series, forced-choice, paired-comparison, tracking method). Steps and sleep were tracked via FitBit, an activity monitoring device. Dietary intake was assessed using 24-hour recalls and analyzed using Nutritionist Pro. Habitual long-sleepers had a higher sweet taste preference (p = 0.042) and took fewer steps (p = 0.036) following sleep curtailment compared to the night where they slept > 7 h but did not experience changes in dietary intake or detection thresholds. Habitual short-sleepers did not experience changes in taste perception, activity, or dietary intake following sleep alteration. Habitual long-sleepers may be at greater risk of gaining weight when typical sleep patterns are disrupted.