A RECENT cohort study has found that inadequate sleep duration and persistent late sleep onset are associated with significant fluctuations in blood glucose levels, providing further evidence on the importance of healthy sleep habits for metabolic health.
Researchers analysed data from 1,156 participants aged 46 to 83 in the Guangzhou Nutrition and Health Study, conducted between January 2014 and December 2023 in Guangdong province, China. Participants underwent repeated sleep assessments across multiple study visits and wore continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices for 14 consecutive days to track glycaemic metrics.
The study identified four distinct sleep duration trajectories: severe inadequate, moderate inadequate, mild inadequate, and adequate. Participants in the severe inadequate sleep category showed a significant increase in glycaemic variability indicators, including a 2.87% rise in the coefficient of variation and a 0.06 mmol/L increase in the mean of daily differences in glucose levels.
Additionally, two sleep onset trajectories were identified: persistent early and persistent late. Those with persistent late sleep onset experienced a 1.18% increase in the coefficient of variation and a 0.02 mmol/L rise in the mean of daily differences, indicating greater instability in blood sugar levels.
The study’s findings highlight the critical role of sufficient sleep duration and early sleep onset in maintaining stable blood glucose levels, a key factor in preventing diabetes and related metabolic disorders. Poor sleep patterns, whether in isolation or combined, contributed to greater glycaemic variability, which has been linked to increased risks of insulin resistance and long-term metabolic complications.
Huber robust regression models were used to assess the associations between sleep trajectories and CGM-derived glycaemic metrics. The findings reinforce the need for public health strategies promoting optimal sleep hygiene to support better glycaemic control in adults, particularly those in middle and older age groups.
This study underscores the importance of considering both sleep duration and sleep timing when assessing metabolic health risks. As diabetes continues to be a growing health concern globally, addressing sleep habits could serve as an effective preventive measure for improving glycaemic control and overall well-being.
Reference
Shen L et al. Trajectories of sleep duration, sleep onset timing, and continuous glucose monitoring in adults. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(3):e250114.
