Sleep duration linked to metabolic health and life expectancy

Recent research highlights the significant impact of sleep duration on both metabolic health and overall life expectancy.

A pooled analysis of two randomized crossover studies involving 95 participants found that moderate sleep restriction—specifically sleeping 1.5 hours less than usual for six weeks—increases body weight and affects metabolism. The study suggests that sleep strategies could be vital for weight management and the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

Separately, a large-scale study from the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) analyzed data from over 3,000 US counties. The findings indicate that sleep duration is the strongest behavioral predictor of life expectancy after smoking. Individuals regularly sleeping fewer than seven hours per night tend to have shorter lifespans, a trend that persists regardless of socioeconomic factors such as wealth, insurance status, or geographic location.