The Claim

Among Brazilian adolescents aged 14–19, short sleep duration is associated with abdominal obesity, with an odds ratio of 1.43 (95% CI 1.24–3.89).

Source: Association between abdominal obesity, screen time and sleep in adolescents

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
44score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

Correlation
1 study reviewed
In plain English

Brazilian adolescents aged 14–19 who sleep less are more likely to have abdominal obesity compared to those who sleep more.

See the scientific wording

Among Brazilian adolescents aged 14–19, short sleep duration is associated with abdominal obesity, with an odds ratio of 1.43 (95% CI 1.24–3.89), indicating that insufficient sleep correlates with increased abdominal adiposity in this population.

Why this might work

When teens don't get enough sleep, their body makes less melatonin and leptin but more ghrelin, which makes them feel hungrier and eat more high-calorie snacks, especially at night. This extra food intake leads to more fat being stored around the waist because the body becomes less sensitive to insulin and stores energy as fat instead of using it.

Verified mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study
  1. Study: Association between abdominal obesity, screen time and sleep in adolescents

    This study found that Brazilian teens who sleep less are more likely to have extra fat around their waist, just like the claim says. The numbers show a clear link between sleeping too little and having a bigger waistline.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

Fit Body Science verdict — we translate health claims into clear verdicts backed by peer-reviewed research.

Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.