It’s important to have a good sleep schedule.
In a recent study, researchers found a link between irregular sleep patterns and an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. However, this association was less pronounced once adjustments were made for factors such as obesity, comorbidities, and lifestyle.
The study, conducted by teams from Boston, MA, and Manchester, UK, used data from the UK Biobank, involving 84,421 participants who wore an accelerometer to track their sleep patterns over a week between 2013 and 2015. The average age of participants was 62, and their genetic information was used to calculate polygenic risk scores for diabetes.
The researchers observed that individuals with significant variability in their sleep duration were more likely to develop diabetes. Specifically, those whose sleep duration deviated by 91 minutes or more from their average had a 59% higher risk of diabetes compared to those with less variability. For those with a deviation between 31 and 45 minutes, the risk increased by 15%, with the risk diminishing to 11% when lifestyle and other factors were accounted for.
The study cohort was predominantly white (97%) and highly educated (over 45% had a college degree), which may not fully represent the UK population. Although the study did not investigate the mechanisms behind these findings, it suggested that irregular sleep could disrupt circadian rhythms, potentially affecting glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity.
Dr. Sudha Tallavajhula, a neurologist and sleep medicine specialist at UTHealth Houston who was not involved in the study, noted that sleep disorders can alter hormonal pathways and disrupt glucose and fat utilization. She highlighted that the relationship between sleep disorders, obesity, and diabetes is complex and bidirectional, meaning that sleep issues can both influence and be influenced by these conditions.
The study builds on previous research indicating that sleep disturbances impact metabolic health. It also complements earlier findings from the Nurses’ Health Study II, which revealed that “night owls” were at higher risk for type 2 diabetes compared to “early birds.” This suggests that an individual’s chronotype—whether they prefer to stay up late or wake up early—affects their circadian rhythm and overall metabolic health.
Becca Anne Krukowski, Ph.D., a professor of public health sciences at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, emphasized the importance of maintaining consistent sleep patterns, along with regular physical activity and a balanced diet, for diabetes prevention. She reinforced the study’s implication that healthy routines are crucial for managing diabetes risk.
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