Health Does a too short sleep increase the risk of diabetes?

Long sleep duration in children apparently reduces their risk of diabetes
Lack of sleep has far-reaching effects on the cardiovascular system, metabolism and brain. This obviously applies especially to children. According to a report by the professional association of paediatricians (BVKJ), a recent study by British researchers concludes that reducing sleep duration in children increases the risk of obesity and diabetes.

The British research team around Dr. Alicja R. Rudnicka of the University of London has found a reverse relationship between sleep duration, obesity and diabetes in his latest study, reports the BVKJ. This means that children who sleep little more prone to obesity and diabetes. The results of the scientists were published in the journal "Pediatrics".

Sufficient sleep reduces the risk of obesity and diabetes in children. (Image: Africa Studio / fotolia.com)

Related to diabetes risk markers
The researchers around Dr. In their cross-sectional study, Rudnicka from the University of London examined the data from 4,525 children of different ethnic backgrounds aged 9 to 10 years for an association between self-reported sleep duration and risk markers for type 2 diabetes. They found that the children slept an average of 10.5 hours per night, and that there is a greatly differentiated relationship between sleep duration and diabetes risk factors. For example, insulin resistance in the model evaluation was 2.9 percent lower and fasting blood sugar was 0.24 percent lower when children slept one hour longer per night, according to the BVKJ.

Lower BMI and fat mass index during prolonged sleep
An additional hour of sleep, according to the researchers, also correlated with 0.19 kg / m² less BMI and a 0.03 kg / m2 lower fat mass index (calculated as fat mass / squared size, measure of the body's relative fat content), the statement said of the BVKJ. A connection with an increased cardiovascular risk, however, was not detectable in the current study. Even after taking into account the risk factors associated with obesity, however, the connection between lack of sleep, insulin and blood sugar levels had persisted.

Additional studies required
Another recent publication in the journal "Pediatrics" by scientists from the University of California Davis, Sacramento, shows that in most of the studies available so far, a correlation between sleep duration and the risk of obesity has been found. What is new, however, is the inverse association between sleep duration and childhood type 2 diabetes risk markers uncovered by University of London scientists. Here further studies are needed to determine whether a cause-effect ratio exists, so the conclusion of the BVKJ. (Fp)