Research library · Nutrition & Eating
Public research record
Evaluation of the Relationship Between Orexin A, Peptide YY, AgRP, and POMC Levels and Sleep Disorders in Children with Malnutrition.
Nutrients · 2026
- DOI 10.3390/nu18030377
- PMID 41683201
- PMCID PMC12899249
Study snapshot
What this research can tell you
- What is this?
- An indexed scholarly work. The study design is not available in this public record.
- Who did it?
- Ergani AC, Tezcan ME, Can Ü, et al.
- What did they study?
- Population details are not available in this public record.
- How should I read it?
- FamilyPhD does not assign a strength rating without enough structured study detail.
What was found
The structured finding summary is not available. The study abstract is shown below.
Limitations
Structured limitations are not available in this public record. Absence here does not mean the study has no limitations.
Where FamilyPhD has used it
FamilyPhD may cite this work when it supports a specific answer. A public history of individual answer use is not currently available, so no contribution relationship is implied on this page.
From the publication record
Study abstract
The abstract is publication text, not a FamilyPhD recommendation.
Background
Malnutrition and sleep disturbances are common in childhood and are associated with neuropeptides that regulate appetite and circadian rhythms. Hypothalamic peptides such as orexin A, agouti-related protein (AgRP), proopiomelanocortin (POMC), and peptide YY (PYY) play important roles in energy balance and eating behavior; however, their specific functions in pediatric malnutrition remain unclear. This study aimed to determine the levels of these peptides in malnourished children and to examine their relationship with eating and sleep behaviors.
Methods
This case-control, cross-sectional study included 99 children aged 5-15 years diagnosed with malnutrition and 85 age-matched healthy controls. Blood samples were collected from all participants, and peptide levels were measured using ELISA. Additionally, the Children's Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ) and the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) were administered to assess eating patterns and sleep behaviors. Statistical comparisons and hierarchical logistic regression analyses were performed.
Results
Orexin A and PYY levels were significantly higher in malnourished children than in controls ( p < 0.001). No significant group differences were found for AgRP and POMC, although AgRP tended to be lower and POMC higher in the malnutrition group. Regression analyses identified orexin A and PYY as significant predictors of malnutrition. Orexin A showed a positive correlation with emotional undereating. Sleep habits did not differ significantly between groups.
Conclusions
Elevated orexin A and PYY levels may function as potential neuropeptidergic biomarkers of malnutrition. Their association with emotional eating highlights the psychobiological components of malnutrition. Further longitudinal studies are warranted to clarify causal mechanisms and support clinical translation.
