Sleep and eating disorders: current research and future directions

Abstract

The literature on sleep and eating disorder (ED) diagnoses is scarce, particularly so in the developmental period of adolescence. Despite a dearth of published findings, it appears that the majority of individuals with EDs suffer from disturbed sleep. There are some inconsistencies in the current literature; however, only a few studies have assessed sleep in this population utilizing objective measures. In this article, we provide an overview of the current available research and suggest an agenda for future directions to better understand the sleep-ED association and corresponding treatment implications. Research that includes objective and subjective measures to assess sleep problems, stratified by ED diagnosis, and in a treatment-specific context is necessary to inform future prevention and intervention efforts.