HormonesMelatonin

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.

Last updated: Aug 26, 2026•0 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score34/100
Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Melatonin Use in a School-aged Boy with Obesity Born to a Mother with Type 2 Diabetes.

observational

Nakamura A · Journal of clinical research in pediatric endocrinology (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: Not specified (follow-up after treatment initiation)
Intervention: Melatonin 1 mg/day
Outcome: Sleep quality (posture, nighttime awakenings), overeating episodes, weight reduction
Effect Size: N/A (case report, no effect size reported)
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

Result:

PubMed: 42613860DOI: 10.4274/jcrpe.galenos.2026.2026-7-24

Mechanism Graph

Melatonin improves sleep quality and circadian alignment
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Better sleep may regulate appetite control
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Reduced overeating episodes
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Gradual weight reduction

Limitations

  • ⚠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.

Products

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References

  1. 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
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.