Delaying children’s bedtime affects food intake and is related to emotions rather than satiety

Many studies published in the past 20 y, including longitudinal studies and randomized trials, have shown that insufficient sleep
duration increases food intake and leads to weight gain [1, 2]. The available evidence suggests that insufficient sleep in humans not only increases the energy expenditure by 4%–5% (~100 kcal/d) but also increases energy intake by >250 kcal/d, thereby resulting in a positive energy balance and weight gain.