A recent study led by the Global Centre for Asian Women’s Health (GloW) and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the National University of Singapore (NUS), in collaboration with Harvard University institutions, has uncovered a significant connection between sleep health and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) in women with a history of gestational diabetes (GDM). The study, titled “Sleep Characteristics and Long-Term Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Among Women With Gestational Diabetes,” was published in JAMA Network Open on March 5, 2025.
Gestational diabetes, a condition affecting up to 30% of pregnancies worldwide, puts women at a significantly higher risk of developing T2D later in life—nearly 10 times higher compared to those without a GDM history. In Singapore, more than 40% of women who experience GDM may develop T2D within five years after giving birth. While preventive measures such as diet and exercise are well known, this study emphasizes the critical, yet often overlooked, role that sleep health plays in reducing diabetes risk.
The research team, led by Professor Zhang Cuilin, Director of GloW, and Dr. Yin Xin, Research Fellow at GloW, analyzed data from nearly 3,000 women with a history of GDM over a 17-year period from the Nurses’ Health Study II. The findings revealed that women who slept for six hours or less per night had a 32% higher risk of developing T2D compared to those who slept seven to eight hours, the recommended amount. Furthermore, women who snored regularly were found to have a 61% increased risk of developing T2D. The combination of insufficient sleep and regular snoring more than doubled the risk.
Beyond increasing the risk of diabetes, regular snoring was also linked to unfavorable metabolic markers, including higher levels of HbA1c, insulin, and C-peptide—indicators of potential metabolic dysfunction.
“Our research underscores the importance of sleep habits, such as extending sleep duration and addressing snoring, as critical interventions for preventing T2D in women at high risk,” said Professor Zhang.
She also highlighted the growing prevalence of GDM and diabetes, particularly in Asia, and called for expanded prevention strategies that incorporate sleep health. Dr. Yin noted that women with GDM may have had underlying glucose metabolism issues before pregnancy, making the study’s findings even more significant.
The researchers are now focused on developing tailored interventions for Asian women that integrate improvements in sleep quality, dietary habits, and other lifestyle changes, alongside a deeper investigation into the molecular mechanisms involved in diabetes risk.
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