NEW YORK, Nov 16, (Agencies): In a recent study conducted by researchers at Columbia University, it has been discovered that women who experience insufficient sleep may face an elevated risk of diabetes, a risk that is more pronounced in postmenopausal females. The research reveals that even a modest reduction in sleep, as little as 90 minutes, can lead to increased insulin resistance, particularly in women accustomed to sufficient sleep.

Lead researcher Marie-Pierre St-Onge, who serves as the director of the Center of Excellence for Sleep and Circadian Research at Columbia University, emphasized the significant impact of sleep habits throughout a woman's lifespan, influenced by factors such as childbearing, child-rearing, and menopause. She noted that a considerable number of women perceive they aren't getting enough sleep compared to men.

The study involved 38 healthy women, with 11 having undergone menopause. All participants typically slept at least seven hours per night, falling within the recommended range of seven to nine hours for optimal health. However, about a third of Americans fall short of this sleep duration.

The women participated in two phases of the study randomly. In one phase, they maintained their regular sleep routine, while in the other, they delayed bedtime by 90 minutes, resulting in approximately six hours of sleep. Both phases lasted six weeks.

The findings indicated that curtailing sleep by 90 minutes increased fasting insulin levels by over 12% overall, with a 15% increase among premenopausal women. Insulin resistance saw a rise of nearly 15% overall, and it exceeded 20% among postmenopausal women. Notably, the study showed that these effects on insulin resistance were independent of changes in body fat, a recognized risk factor for type 2 diabetes.

Despite stable average blood sugar levels throughout the study, researchers cautioned that changes in insulin resistance could contribute to long-term increases in blood sugar levels. The next phase of research aims to explore whether improved sleep can positively impact blood sugar control and glucose metabolism.

The study, shedding light on the connection between sleep deficiency and diabetes risk, was published on Monday in the journal Diabetes Care.