Key Takeaways
Lack of sleep may have adverse effects on the health of overweight people
People who don't get enough sleep are at higher risk of metabolic syndrome
Symptoms vary between men and women
TUESDAY, Aug. 27, 2024 (HealthDay News) — A new study finds that getting enough sleep is important for the health of overweight men and women.
Heavier people who stay up late tend to be at higher risk of metabolic syndrome, a group of conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke and other chronic health problems.
“Our study shows that disruptions to the body clock can have negative health effects in people who may already be experiencing negative health effects due to their weight,” said lead researcher Brooke Schafer, a postdoctoral researcher in the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Institute for Sleep, Chronobiology and Health.
Furthermore, research has revealed that lack of sleep poses different health risks for men and women.
For the study, the researchers recruited 30 people with a BMI over 25, putting them in the overweight or obese category.
The team used saliva samples to determine the time in the evening when each person's body begins producing melatonin, the hormone that starts the process of falling asleep.
Participants then recorded their sleep habits for seven days.
The researchers used sleep diaries to determine whether people had a short or long time between melatonin onset and falling asleep, with a short time meaning people fell asleep quickly after melatonin onset and a long time meaning the opposite.
The researchers say a narrow sleep window indicates that a person stays up so late that it disrupts their body clock.
The study found that men who fell asleep closer to the onset of melatonin production tended to have higher levels of abdominal fat, more fatty triglycerides in their blood, and a higher risk of overall metabolic syndrome than men who slept earlier and better.
The researchers found that women who slept less had higher overall body fat, higher blood sugar levels, and higher resting heart rates.
“It was really surprising to see how these differences manifested differently by gender,” said Andrew McHill, an assistant professor and senior research scientist at Oregon Health & Science University. “It's something that's sometimes thought about in academic medicine, but it's not the case for everyone.”
“This study reinforces the importance of good sleep habits,” Schafer said in an OHSU news release. “Sleep habits like going to bed when you're tired and avoiding screen time at night can help promote overall health.”
The researchers next plan to track the health effects of more profound changes in sleep patterns, such as workers being asked to work night shifts.
“We want to identify possible interventions to maintain the health of this important core group of the workforce,” Schafer said.
Source: Oregon Health & Science University, news release, August 23, 2024
What this means for you
People who are overweight or obese should practice good sleep hygiene, as lack of sleep can lead to poor health.
