One simple change night owls can make to lower diabetes risk
People who stay up late have a 46% higher risk of type 2 diabetes in comparison to those with regular sleep schedules, according to a recent study. Researchers found that individuals who are more active at night, commonly known as night owls, are more prone to habits like smoking or having an unhealthy diet, contributing to the elevated diabetes risk. While lifestyle plays a significant role, the increased diabetes risk may also be linked to other factors. Night owls concerned about their diabetes risk are advised to avoid eating late at night, researchers suggest.
- A Dutch study analyzed data from 5,026 individuals to investigate the correlation between sleep timing and diabetes risk.
- Participants were categorized into three groups based on their sleep timings: late, early, and intermediate chronotypes.
- Individuals belonging to the late chronotype group had a 46% higher risk of type 2 diabetes compared to the intermediate group, after adjusting for various factors like age, sex, and lifestyle habits.
Dr. Jeroen van der Velde from Leiden University Medical Centre highlighted that the circadian rhythm of individuals with a late chronotype might not align with societal schedules, leading to metabolic disturbances and eventually diabetes. Night owls were found to have a higher BMI, waist circumference, visceral fat, and liver fat content, indicating possible associations with late-night eating habits. While specific recommendations are still under study, practicing time-restricted eating or avoiding late-night meals could potentially reduce the diabetes risk for night owls.
Another study presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) meeting suggested that patients treated with systemic steroids, like prednisolone, are also at a higher risk of developing diabetes. Researchers from the University of Oxford found that individuals treated with systemic steroids had a greater likelihood of developing diabetes. These findings could help clinical staff anticipate and manage the risk of new-onset diabetes more effectively in patients undergoing steroid treatment.
In conclusion, making simple changes like adjusting meal times and being mindful of late-night eating habits could potentially lower the risk of type 2 diabetes for night owls. Studies continue to explore the effects of lifestyle behaviors and medication on diabetes risk, providing valuable insights for preventive healthcare measures in high-risk populations.