This is especially true for people carrying extra pounds.
A recent study underscores the critical role of quality sleep in the health of overweight individuals, revealing that poor sleep can significantly increase their risk of metabolic syndrome. This syndrome, which includes a cluster of conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and stroke, poses serious health threats. The study highlights that disruptions in the body’s biological clock due to inadequate sleep may exacerbate health risks, especially for those already burdened by excess weight.
Lead researcher Brooke Shafer from Oregon Health & Science University’s Sleep, Chronobiology and Health Laboratory emphasized that disturbances in the body’s internal rhythms could worsen health outcomes for overweight individuals. The research also points out that the effects of sleep disruption differ between men and women.
The study involved 30 participants with a BMI over 25. Researchers measured the timing of melatonin production, a hormone that initiates sleep, and monitored participants’ sleep habits over a week. They found that a shorter period between melatonin onset and falling asleep—indicating late bedtime relative to the body’s internal clock—was linked to poorer health outcomes.
Results showed that men with shorter sleep windows had higher levels of abdominal fat, elevated triglycerides, and a greater risk of metabolic syndrome compared to those who slept earlier. In women, a shorter sleep window was associated with increased overall body fat, higher blood sugar levels, and a higher resting heart rate.
The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, highlights the need for tailored sleep recommendations and practices to improve health. Researchers plan to explore the effects of more extreme changes in sleep patterns, such as night shifts, to find strategies that can help maintain health in these scenarios.
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