According to a study, women who sleep less than seven hours during pregnancy and their child’s early years are more likely to develop problems such as type 2 diabetes.
Researchers have discovered a link between sleep duration during these crucial periods and an increased risk of a variety of health problems.
A Northwestern University team analyzed data from 3,922 women during pregnancy and two to seven years after giving birth.
They found that persistent lack of sleep was linked to an increased risk of metabolic syndrome.
This is the name for a group of health problems such as high blood sugar levels, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol levels, all of which can contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes or conditions that affect the heart. or blood vessels.
Writing in the journal Jama Network Open, researchers said: “Sleep restriction may alter hormonal signaling, which may contribute to increased appetite, altered eating behaviors, and ultimately the development of insulin resistance, a central feature of metabolic syndrome.
They added that their findings highlight the need for specific interventions aimed at improving sleep in this group.
Researchers have discovered a link between sleep duration during these crucial periods and an increased risk of a variety of health problems.
A Northwestern University team analyzed data from 3,922 women during pregnancy and two to seven years after childbirth and found that persistent lack of sleep was linked to an increased risk of metabolic syndrome.
Around one in four adults in the UK are thought to have metabolic syndrome and people who smoke, drink a lot of alcohol, don’t exercise much and are obese are most at risk.
In addition to increasing your chances of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, it can also increase your risk of developing osteoarthritis, gout, and even some cancers.
Treatments usually involve lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, improving blood sugar levels, improving cholesterol, and lowering blood pressure.
A previous survey by online bed retailer Happy Beds found that nine in 10 women suffered disrupted sleep while waiting, with many sleeping as little as five hours a night.
This was mainly due to inability to roll over, heartburn, movement of the baby, being too hot, and restless legs.
Joy Richards, sleep specialist at Happy Beds, said of the survey: “It’s ironic that the time women need the most to sleep is the time when it tends to be the most difficult.”
“Sleep problems are something that almost all pregnant women experience, for all kinds of reasons, from physical discomfort to mental concerns.”