Addressing sleep issues is critical for the health of adults with overweight and obesity

Recent research conducted by Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) has highlighted the adverse health implications for individuals who are overweight and disregard their body’s natural cues to sleep at night. The study, which reveals important gender-specific differences, underscores the critical role that good sleep practices play in maintaining overall health, particularly for those who have overweight or obesity.

Study Overview

The findings of this research were published in the latest issue of The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. According to Brooke Shafer, Ph.D., the study’s lead author and a postdoctoral researcher in the Sleep, Chronobiology, and Health Laboratory at the OHSU School of Nursing, the results strongly advocate for the adoption of healthy sleep habits. “This study builds support for the importance of good sleep habits,” Shafer noted. “Sleep practices, like going to bed when you’re tired or setting aside your screen at night, can help to promote good overall health.”

The research involved 30 participants, with an equal distribution of men and women, all of whom had a body mass index (BMI) exceeding 25, placing them in the categories of people with overweight or obesity. The study’s purpose was to explore the connection between sleep patterns and potential health risks, with a specific focus on the differences between men and women.

Health Implications of Disrupted Sleep Patterns

“Obesity and cardiometabolic disease are growing public health concerns,” Shafer explained. “Our research shows that disruptions in the body’s internal biological clock could contribute to negative health consequences for people who may already be vulnerable due to weight.”

The participants, who were generally healthy despite their elevated BMI, were asked to provide saliva samples every 30 minutes late into the night at a sleep laboratory located on OHSU’s Marquam Hill campus. This procedure was aimed at determining the precise moment their bodies naturally began producing melatonin, the hormone responsible for initiating the sleep process. The onset of melatonin production varies from person to person, depending on their internal biological clock.

Following their time in the sleep lab, participants returned home and kept a detailed log of their sleep habits for the subsequent seven days. The researchers then analysed the time difference between the onset of melatonin and the average sleep timing for each participant. This data allowed them to categorise the participants into two distinct groups: those with a narrow window, where there was a short duration between melatonin onset and sleep, and those with a wide window, characterised by a longer duration between melatonin onset and sleep.

A narrow window, which indicates that an individual is staying awake too late relative to their internal body clock, is generally associated with poorer health outcomes. This new study confirmed a range of potentially harmful health measures in the group that went to sleep closer to the onset of melatonin.

Gender-Specific Findings

The study also revealed significant differences between men and women. Men who fell into the group with a narrow window exhibited higher levels of abdominal fat, elevated levels of fatty triglycerides in the blood, and increased overall metabolic syndrome risk scores compared to men who slept more in line with their biological clocks. On the other hand, women in the same group showed a higher overall body fat percentage, elevated glucose levels, and increased resting heart rates.

“It was really somewhat surprising to see these differences present themselves in a sex-dependent manner,” remarked Andrew McHill, Ph.D., the study’s senior author and an assistant professor at the OHSU School of Nursing, the School of Medicine, and the Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences at OHSU. “It’s not one size fits all, as we sometimes think in academic medicine.”

Future Research and Implications

The researchers are now planning to explore sex-specific differences in groups that experience more extreme changes in sleep patterns, such as those who work overnight shifts. This next phase of research aims to develop targeted interventions that can help maintain the health of this essential segment of the workforce.

“We want to figure out possible interventions that keep this vital core group of the workforce healthy,” Shafer stated, highlighting the importance of addressing the unique challenges faced by individuals whose work schedules disrupt their natural sleep patterns.

Conclusion

The study from OHSU serves as a stark reminder of the crucial role that sleep plays in our overall health, particularly for those who are already at risk due to having overweight or obesity. The gender-specific findings add a new layer of complexity to our understanding of sleep and health, suggesting that tailored approaches may be necessary to address the unique needs of men and women. As the research continues, it is hoped that new interventions will be developed to support healthy sleep habits across all populations, especially those most vulnerable to the effects of disrupted sleep.