Getting consistent sleep could help prevent type 2 diabetes, according to new research.
A study led by Brigham and Women’s Hospital, part of the Mass General Brigham health care system, analyzed sleep patterns over seven nights and followed participants for over seven years.
Researchers found that people with irregular sleep patterns had a 34% higher risk of developing diabetes compared to those with regular sleep patterns.
These findings, published in the journal Diabetes Care, highlight the importance of regular sleep for preventing diabetes.
“Our study identified a lifestyle factor that can help lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes,” said lead author Sina Kianersi, Ph.D., a research fellow at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. “Consistent sleep patterns are crucial for reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes.”
Type 2 diabetes affects nearly half a billion people worldwide and is one of the top 10 leading causes of death and disability.
The number of people with type 2 diabetes is expected to more than double to 1.3 billion by 2050, underscoring the need for effective prevention strategies.
The study analyzed data from more than 84,000 participants in the UK Biobank Study. Participants, with an average age of 62 years (57% female, 97% white), wore accelerometers—devices similar to watches that monitor movement—for seven nights. None of the participants had diabetes at the start of the study.
They were followed for about 7.5 years, and their diabetes development was tracked mostly through medical records.
The study aimed to answer two key questions: whether irregular sleep durations contribute to diabetes development through circadian disruption and sleep disturbances, and whether this association varies based on genetic predisposition to diabetes.
The researchers found that irregular sleep duration was linked to a higher risk of diabetes, even after adjusting for various risk factors. This association was particularly strong in individuals with longer sleep duration and lower genetic risk for diabetes.
Compared to those with regular sleep patterns, participants with irregular sleep patterns—where day-to-day sleep duration varied by more than 60 minutes—had a 34% higher risk of developing diabetes. This risk remained significant even after considering lifestyle factors, co-morbidities, family history of diabetes, and obesity indicators.
However, the study had some limitations. Some lifestyle information was collected up to five years before the accelerometer study began, which might have affected accuracy. Additionally, the seven-day sleep duration assessment might not capture long-term sleep patterns. Lastly, the study participants were mainly healthy, older, and white, which might not represent more diverse populations.
The researchers plan to study younger and more diverse groups to understand better why sleep irregularity increases diabetes risk. They are also interested in exploring the biological reasons behind this link.
“Our findings could improve diabetes prevention at multiple levels,” said Kianersi. “Clinically, they could inform better patient care and treatment plans. Public health guidelines might promote regular sleep patterns. However, more research is needed to fully understand the mechanism and confirm the results in other populations.”
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