BUFFALO, N.Y., Mar 13, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- U.S. researchers say people who
regularly get less than six hours of sleep are at a higher risk of developing
diabetes.
The University of Buffalo report said people who are sleep deprived are 4.5
times more likely to have elevated levels of blood sugar than those who get six
to eight hours of sleep each night.
The findings were presented Wednesday at an American Hearth Association
conference on cardiovascular disease.
"Impaired fasting glucose -- a reading higher than 100 -- is known as
pre-diabetes, which is a precursor to type 2 diabetes," lead author Lisa
Rafalson said in a release. "In fact, about 25 percent of people who have
impaired fasting glucose will at some point develop type 2 diabetes, which is
associated with many complications, including heart disease and premature
death."
The findings are based on data from a follow-up of participants in the Western
New York Health Study conducted from 1996 to 2001.
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