Melatonin (1 mg/day) improves sleep quality and reduces overeating and weight gain in an obese school-aged boy with prenatal diabetes exposure
An 11-year-old boy with obesity born to a mother with type 2 diabetes and severe sleep disturbances was treated with 1 mg/day melatonin. After treatment, parental reports indicated marked improvements in sleep posture and nighttime awakenings, along with reduced overeating episodes and gradual weight reduction, without adverse events. The case suggests melatonin may be a useful adjunct in managing pediatric obesity by optimizing sleep behavior.
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Melatonin (1 mg/day) improves sleep quality and reduces overeating and weight gain in an obese school-aged boy with prenatal diabetes exposure The current body of evidence comprises 1 study. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 34/100 (low).
The Claim
Melatonin (1 mg/day) improves sleep quality and reduces overeating and weight gain in an obese school-aged boy with prenatal diabetes exposure
This conclusion is most relevant to: An 11-year-old boy with obesity (BMI z-score 2.44) born to a mother with type 2 diabetes, with severe sleep disturbances.
What the Research Shows
The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:
- ▸Melatonin Use in a School-aged Boy with Obesity Born to a Mother with Type 2 Diabetes. (Journal of clinical research in pediatric endocrinology, 2026) —
How It Works
The proposed biological pathway:
- ▸Melatonin improves sleep quality and circadian alignment
- ▸Better sleep may regulate appetite control
- ▸Reduced overeating episodes
- ▸Gradual weight reduction
Who Might Benefit
Evidence fit by population:
- ▸An 11-year-old boy with obesity (BMI z-score 2.44) born to a mother with type 2 diabetes, with severe sleep disturbances
Recommended Dose
1 mg/day
Limitations & Caveats
Important context when interpreting this evidence:
- ▸Single case report, not generalizable
- ▸No objective sleep measurements (e.g., polysomnography) or validated appetite assessments
- ▸Parental reports may be subjective and biased
- ▸No control group or blinding
Frequently Asked Questions
What dose of melatonin was used in this case?▼
1 mg per day was administered to the 11-year-old boy.
What improvements were observed after melatonin treatment?▼
Parents reported improved sleep posture, fewer nighttime awakenings, reduced overeating episodes, and gradual weight loss.
Was this a randomized controlled trial?▼
No, it was a case report of a single patient, so evidence is preliminary.
Why might melatonin help with obesity in this child?▼
Melatonin improves sleep quality and circadian alignment, which may favorably influence energy balance and metabolic regulation, potentially reducing appetite dysregulation.
References
- 1.Nakamura A. “Melatonin Use in a School-aged Boy with Obesity Born to a Mother with Type 2 Diabetes..” Journal of clinical research in pediatric endocrinology, 2026. PMID: 42613860 DOI: 10.4274/jcrpe.galenos.2026.2026-7-24