Are Night Owls at a Higher Risk of Diabetes? Here’s What the Nurses’ Health Study II Found
Ever been curious about whether being a night owl or an early bird could impact your health? Well, there's been some buzz around this topic, and I stumbled upon a fascinating study that we need to chat about.
The Scoop of the Study
Alright, so this study, known as the Nurses’ Health Study II, kept an eye on 63,676 nurses between the ages of 45 and 62. These nurses, bless them, had no history of some major health issues like cancer, heart diseases, or diabetes back in 2009. They were observed right up till 2017.
What Did They Find Out?
Are You Team Night Owl? If so, here’s something intriguing: Those identifying as night owls were 54% more likely to lean into not-so-great lifestyle choices compared to the early birds.
Here Comes the Diabetes Link: Over the observation years, 1,925 of these nurses reported having diabetes. The study found that the evening folks had a 72% higher chance of getting diabetes compared to the morning-loving ones. Now, before you start adjusting your alarms, they did consider other factors. When they took into account things like weight, diet, and exercise habits, the gap did shrink a bit, but it didn’t vanish entirely.
So, What's the Takeaway?
Being an evening person might sway you towards some unhealthy habits, which could explain the higher risk of diabetes. But there's still a risk there even after considering lifestyle choices. It seems our internal clocks might play a bigger role in our health than we thought.
A Pinch of Salt: The Study's Limitations
Every study has its quirks. This one used just one question to determine if someone was a night owl or early bird. Plus, all the data was self-reported, and everyone in the study was a middle-aged nurse. So, while the findings are super intriguing, it’s worth noting that they might not apply to everyone.
To Wrap Up
If you're a night owl, this isn't about setting panic alarms. It's about awareness. There's a lot our body clocks seem to influence, and understanding that can be a step towards better health. Still, as with everything, balance is key. And if this has sparked your interest, maybe it's worth diving deeper and chatting with a healthcare pro. Who knows what other secrets our sleep habits hold?
-Joseph Ortiz MD
9/12/23