Late Sleepers Face Higher Diabetes Risk

People who stay up late, commonly known as “night owls,” are 50% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes compared to early risers. This significant finding was presented at the Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Madrid, Spain.

The study, led by Dr. Jeroen van der Velde from Leiden University Medical Centre, analysed data from over 5,000 individuals as part of the Netherlands Epidemiology of Obesity study. Participants, averaging 56 years of age, were classified into early, intermediate, and late chronotypes based on their sleep patterns.

Late chronotypes had a higher Body Mass Index (BMI), larger waistlines, and more hidden fat like visceral and liver fat, all contributing to increased diabetes risk. This research highlights that late sleepers face a 46% higher risk of type 2 diabetes even when factors like age, physical activity, and sleep quality are considered.

Key Findings of the Study:

1. Increased Diabetes Risk: Late sleepers were found to have a 46% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to intermediate chronotypes, highlighting that the risk persists beyond unhealthy lifestyle habits.
2. Higher BMI and Body Fat: Those classified as late chronotypes had higher BMI, larger waist sizes, and increased levels of visceral and liver fat, which are known contributors to diabetes.
3. Circadian Rhythm Misalignment: According to Dr. van der Velde, the body clocks of late chronotypes often misalign with societal norms, leading to circadian misalignment and subsequent metabolic disturbances.

Dr. van der Velde recommends lifestyle adjustments such as avoiding late-night eating and exploring time-restricted eating as potential strategies to improve the metabolic health of night owls. Further research is ongoing to understand how timing of lifestyle habits impacts diabetes risk.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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