Staying up late? It could raise your risk of diabetes

New Delhi: People who stay up late, often called "night owls," are more likely to face health risks, according to new research shared on Monday.

These individuals tend to have a higher body mass index (BMI), larger waists, and more hidden body fat, making them nearly 50 percent more likely to develop type 2 diabetes (T2D) compared to those who go to bed earlier.

Earlier studies have shown that people with a late sleep schedule often lead unhealthy lifestyles and face a higher risk of obesity and metabolic problems, including type 2 diabetes. This new study reveals that night owls have a 46 percent higher chance of developing diabetes, suggesting that their increased risk is not solely due to their lifestyle choices.

Dr. Jeroen van der Velde, the lead researcher from Leiden University Medical Centre in the Netherlands, explained, "We believe that other factors are also involved."

"A likely reason is that the body clock, or circadian rhythm, of night owls is out of sync with the usual work and social schedules. This misalignment can lead to disturbances in metabolism and increase the risk of type 2 diabetes," he added.

To explore this further, the research team examined the relationship between sleep patterns, diabetes, and body fat distribution in over 5,000 individuals. They divided the participants into three groups:

• Early risers (20%)
• Night owls (20%)
• Those in between (60%)

The researchers measured each participant's BMI and waist size. For 1,526 individuals, they also used MRI scans and MR spectroscopy to measure visceral fat (the fat around internal organs) and liver fat. After 6.6 years of follow-up, 225 participants were diagnosed with diabetes.

The study found that night owls had a higher BMI by 0.7 kg/m², a waist size 1.9 cm larger, 7 cm² more visceral fat, and 14 percent more liver fat compared to those with intermediate sleep patterns. These factors were linked to the increased risk of diabetes among night owls.

"More visceral and liver fat likely explain why night owls are at greater risk for type 2 diabetes," Dr. van der Velde concluded.

These findings will be presented at the upcoming Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Madrid, Spain, from September 9-13.

(with agency inputs)