Night Owls and the Increased Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Night Owls and Their Diabetes Risk
Night owls, individuals who are active during the night, are nearly 50% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes compared to early risers. According to new research from Leiden University Medical Centre, this risk is linked to their sleep timings, which disrupt their circadian rhythms.
Study Findings: The Connection Between Sleep and Diabetes
The study indicates that night owls have a higher body mass index (BMI) and increased body fat. Specifically, late chronotypes, or those who prefer to stay up late, were found to have a 46% increased risk of developing diabetes. This suggests that factors beyond mere lifestyle choices contribute to this risk.
- Late sleepers have a higher BMI by 0.7 kg/m².
- They also present with a 1.9 cm larger waist circumference.
- Their visceral fat content is greater by 7 cm².
- Liver fat content is 14% higher compared to their early-rising counterparts.
Dr. Jeroen van der Velde notes that the misalignment of the biological clock with societal schedules may lead to metabolic disturbances and enhanced diabetes risk.
Conclusion: Addressing Circadian Misalignment for Better Health
As the findings suggest, better understanding and management of sleep cycles could aid in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes among night owls. This research will be presented at the Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes in Madrid.
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