New Study Shows “Night Owls” at Higher Risk for Type 2 Diabetes
A recent study conducted by researchers from Harvard Medical School has revealed that being a “night owl” is associated with engaging in unhealthy lifestyle behaviors and an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
The study, which analyzed data from over 60,000 female nurses participating in the Nurses’ Health Study II, found that night owls were more likely to consume unhealthy diets, exercise less, have a higher body mass index (BMI), sleep fewer hours, and smoke cigarettes compared to early birds.
After accounting for these unhealthy habits, researchers discovered that night owls had a 19% increased risk of developing diabetes. This risk factor is considered significant, according to senior author Tianyi Huang.
Out of the women in the study, 11% identified as night owls, 35% as early birds, while the rest did not strongly identify as either. Previous research has also linked being a night owl to obesity and heart disease.
Huang suggests that the increased risk associated with being a night owl may be due to a person’s sleep schedule being out of sync with their environment, particularly their work schedule. Interestingly, the study found that even after adjusting for socioeconomic factors, the association between being a night owl and diabetes risk remained.
If finding late-night jobs is not feasible, people with late-night body clocks need to be cautious about their lifestyle habits, according to Marie-Pierre St-Onge from Columbia University. St-Onge also pointed out that while some night owls may be able to temporarily adjust their sleep patterns, many eventually revert back due to strong genetic influences.
St-Onge further speculated that evolution may have played a role in the existence of night owls, suggesting that some people evolved to have an evening chronotype to ensure there was 24-hour coverage for safety.
However, it is important to note that the study has its limitations. The sample size was predominantly comprised of white women, and it did not prove a causative link between the evening chronotype and diabetes risk, according to sleep specialist Dr. James McGuirk.
Nevertheless, the study adds to the growing body of evidence linking being a night owl to various health risks, including diabetes. It emphasizes the need for further research and a greater understanding of the relationship between our sleep patterns and overall health.
“Prone to fits of apathy. Devoted music geek. Troublemaker. Typical analyst. Alcohol practitioner. Food junkie. Passionate tv fan. Web expert.”