Short Sleepers Are At Higher Risk Of Developing Diabetes, Heart Disease

In a new study researchers have found sleeping less than six hours daily increases the risk of developing diabetes, heart disease and strokes.

Dr Jang Young Kim and his team from Yonsei University in South Korea conducted the study and say lack of sleep may lead to metabolic syndrome, which means a combination of risk factors like high blood pressure, extra fat around the midsection and high blood pressure.

The researchers followed the lifestyle of more than 2,500 adults in two of the surveys conducted between 2005 and 2008 and thereafter again between 2008 and 2011. All the participants shared their medical history too along with undergoing medical exams.

It was found 41 percent of the participants who slept less than six hours were more likely to develop metabolic syndrome in future compared to those who slept between six to eight hours daily.

More to this, the researchers also found 22 percent of the participants developed metabolic syndrome.

Details of the study published in Sleep journal.

The study however had limitations as the data relied on the accuracy of recall of sleep habits of the participants, their lifestyle behaviors and also medical conditions. The quality sleep data was also lacking.