Recent research reveals that consistently staying up late can significantly increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The study, conducted by scientists at Leiden University Medical Centre in the Netherlands, indicates that night owls—those who stay awake into the early hours—are 46% more likely to develop diabetes compared to those with more regular sleep patterns.
The investigation, part of the Netherlands Epidemiology of Obesity study, examined 5,000 overweight individuals with a mean age of 56 and an average BMI of 30, which is classified as overweight to obese. Participants provided detailed information about their sleep habits, which allowed researchers to categorize them based on their midpoint-of-sleep (MPS) times.
Participants were divided into three groups based on their MPS: those with early MPS times (around 2:30 AM), those with intermediate MPS times (between 2:30 and 4 AM), and those with late MPS times (after 4 AM). Over a median follow-up period of 6.6 years, the study found that individuals with late MPS times had a 46% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those with intermediate MPS times.
The late chronotype group also exhibited higher BMIs, with waist measurements 1.9 cm (0.7 inches) larger, and had 7 cm (1 inch) more visceral fat and 14% higher liver fat content compared to their intermediate counterparts.
Lead researcher Jeroen van der Velde noted that while the study established a significant association between late-night habits and diabetes risk, the causal mechanisms remain unclear. One hypothesis is that night owls may consume more food late in the evening. “People with a late chronotype are likely to eat later into the night,” van der Velde suggested. “Although we did not measure this directly, existing evidence suggests that limiting eating to earlier in the evening could have metabolic benefits. Night owls concerned about their diabetes risk might consider avoiding late-night meals.”
The research team plans to explore whether altering sleep patterns could mitigate the adverse health effects associated with late-night living. Previous studies have linked late-night habits to increased risks of diabetes, heart disease, and premature death. “We suspect that circadian misalignment—when the body’s internal clock is out of sync with societal schedules—contributes to metabolic disturbances and increased diabetes risk,” van der Velde added.
The full findings of the study will be presented at the Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes in Madrid this week.
Related topics:
High Sudden Death Risk in 35-Year-Olds with Diabetes
Join the Walk to Cure Type 1 Diabetes!
Tirzepatide Surpasses Insulin in Diabetes Control and Weight Management
