A new study has found that people who sleep less than six hours a night remain at higher risk of getting type 2 diabetes.
The researchers found that sleep duration of five hours was linked with a 16 per cent greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
When people got less than seven hours sleep, or more than eight hours, the risk began to increase.
Other factors that could influence the relationship between sleep duration and diabetes risk includeindividual differences in sleep quality and lifestyle.
They suggest doing high-intensity interval exercise during the day to mitigate potential effects of short sleep on diabetes risk.
A new study has found that people who sleep less than six hours a night remain at higher risk of getting type 2 diabetes.
Researchers did the study after analysing data from the UK Biobank, a biomedical database containing information from about 250,000 adults.
What the study is about?
To understand the link between the total duration of sleep and type 2 diabetes, researchers analysed whether a healthy diet negates the impact of less sleep on potential type 2 diabetes disease in a person.
How the study was done?
Participants were asked how much sleep they get in 24 hours. While seven to eight hours was found average and considered normal sleep, short sleep duration was broken up into three categories: mild (six hours), moderate (five hours) and extreme (three to four hours).
Key finding
The study found that while healthy eating habits were associated with lower overall risk of diabetes, despite a healthy diet, among people with less than six hours of sleep per day, the risk of type 2 diabetes increased compared to people in the normal sleep category.
The researchers found that sleep duration of five hours was linked with a 16 per cent greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes. While the risk for people who slept three to four hours was 41 per cent higher, compared to people who slept seven to eight hours.
Also watch | The Good Life | Study: Sleep deprivation may increase the risk of developing diabetes × Earlier, a review of multiple studies found getting between seven to eight hours of sleep daily was associated with the lowest risk. When people got less than seven hours sleep, or more than eight hours, the risk began to increase.
Other factors that could influence the relationship between sleep duration and diabetes risk includeindividual differences in sleep quality and lifestyle.
Also read | Scientists find out why night shifts take a toll on your health
The authors of the study point out that it's not always possible to get enough sleep. They suggest doing high-intensity interval exercise during the day to mitigate potential effects of short sleep on diabetes risk.
(With inputs from agencies)
