Wake-up call as napping is found to raise diabetes risk

Published on Sunday 8 March 2009 20:47

TAKING regular naps dramatically increases the risks of developing diabetes, according to scientists.

Research claims people who sleep for short periods during the day are up to 26 per cent more likely to end up with type-2 diabetes.

The development of the condition is linked to unhealthy lifestyles and being overweight, but poor night-time sleep patters are also known to be a factor.

The research, due to be presented at Diabetes UK's annual professional conference in Glasgow on Wednesday, examined the sleeping habits of 16,480 older people in China.

A large proportion of the group, 68 per cent, took regular naps and the research found that napping just once a week increased the likelihood of developing the condition.

The researchers, led by a team from the University of Birmingham, said that even taking into account other contributing factors, such as the weight of the subjects, there was an obvious link between sleeping for short periods and type-2 diabetes.

Several reasons for the new link are to be highlighted at the conference, including the fact that nappers are less likely to sleep well at night. Another reason could be that people who sleep during the day could be less likely to exercise often enough.

Dr Shahrad Taheri, from the University of Birmingham, said: "Our research provides us with an additional insight on the risk factors behind type-2 diabetes.

"As the number of people with type-2 diabetes keeps increasing, it is crucial that we do everything we can to help prevent people from developing the condition."

In the UK, 2.25 million people have type-2 diabetes, which tends to develop later in life and is more likely in obese people.

Dr Iain Frame, director of research at Diabetes UK, said: "This new research could be another step towards explaining the possible link between disturbed sleep patterns and type-2 diabetes.

"However, in terms of being major risk factors for developing type-2 diabetes, disturbed sleep or napping are likely to remain less significant than already established risk factors such as being overweight, being over the age of 40 or having a history of diabetes in the family."