Risks of Long-Term Sleep: Harvard Study Raises Health Concerns

A new study from Harvard University shows that those who sleep longer are more likely to be overweight, have higher blood pressure and diabetes.

The researchers studied data on 3,275 adults from the Spanish region of Murcia.

They collected information about their sleep and other lifestyle factors, which led to categories: no sleep, less than 30 minutes, and more than 30 minutes.

They found that those who napped for long periods had a higher body mass index and were more likely to develop metabolic syndrome — a combination of diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity — compared to those who slept little or no sleep.

This puts people at greater risk of coronary artery complications such as heart attack and stroke.

However, according to the findings, published in the journal Obesity, those who took the nap showed no signs of increased risk.

The researchers found that longer sleep was associated with later dinner and bedtime, as well as higher calorie intake at lunchtime and smoking.

They acknowledged that it is not yet known whether daytime naps alone are the cause, as a previous study of patients in the UK has shown that obesity itself can lead to daytime naps. According to the latest official estimates, around 59% of women and 69% of men in the UK are currently overweight or obese.

They said more research is needed to see if short naps are beneficial in the long run, especially for people with habits like late eating and bedtime, or those who smoke.

Source: Daily Mail