Early to bed and early to rise is not just a saying — living by that rule could greatly improve your health.
People who go to bed early are more likely to be in better health and more physically active compared to night owls, according to a study conducted by the University of Leicester and the University of South Australia.
Researchers studied the bedtime preferences of people with Type 2 diabetes, identifying a connection between bedtimes and healthy, active lifestyles. Type 2 diabetes is largely the result of excess body weight and physical inactivity, and 463 million people around the world have diabetes — a statistic that is expected to rise to 700 million by 2040.
The study found that people who went to bed late and got up late have an excessively sedentary lifestyle and low levels of physical activity, which puts their health at greater risk.
“There is a massive need for large-scale interventions to help people with diabetes initiate, maintain and achieve the benefits of an active lifestyle,” said lead researcher Dr. Joseph Henson from the University of Leicester. “For people who prefer to go to bed later and get up later, this is even more important, with our research showing that night owls exercise 56% less than their early bird counterparts.”
Exercise is crucial for people with diabetes, as it helps to maintain a healthy weight and blood pressure, as well as reducing the risk of heart disease, Henson said.
Source: Newswise Sept. 21, 2020