Sleep extension to boost weight loss in young adults
Official title: Sleep Extension: A Novel Intervention for Weight Loss in Young Adults
Funded at University of Chicago · NIH-11398984 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study tests whether adding more sleep to a calorie- and activity‑focused weight loss program helps overweight young adults lose more weight.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $705,766 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK136214-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11398984 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are overweight young adults (around 18–25) who habitually sleep less than 6.5 hours per night and are willing to follow a diet and activity plan.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals who already consistently sleep 7+ hours or who cannot commit to the sleep extension component may not benefit.
What this research studies
Young adults who sleep less than 6.5 hours a night and are overweight will be recruited to see if extending sleep, in addition to diet and physical activity guidance, leads to better weight loss. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a standard lifestyle intervention or the same program plus structured sleep extension strategies. The study uses real‑world settings and tracking (like accelerometers and a smartphone app) to monitor sleep, activity, and diet. Results could show whether sleep duration is a key lever to enhance weight loss in similar programs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could improve weight loss outcomes for young adults by including a practical sleep extension component.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary work suggests sleep extension can reduce energy intake and support weight loss, but this trial is among the first to test its impact within a structured lifestyle program.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tasali, Esra — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Tasali, Esra
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.