Scientists have raised an alarm over an impending global sleep crisis which could arise from humans having inadequate sleep. According to a new study published in the journal ‘Science Advances’, social pressure is forcing people to sleep less than needed and thereby contributing to the problem.
Therefore, insufficient sleep is associated with a number of chronic diseases and conditions—such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and depression— which threaten our nation’s health. Not getting enough sleep is associated with the onset of these diseases and also may complicate their management and outcome. Adequate sleep is important for appetite and weight management — a key to preventing many chronic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease.
Reacting to the impending global sleep crisis, the researchers from the University of Michigan in the United States (U.S), said they have tracked sleep patterns of some 6,000 people in 100 countries and analysed connections with age, gender, daily natural light exposure as well as cultural pressures. “The effects of society on sleep remain largely unquantified.”
“We find that social pressures weaken and, or conceal biological drives in the evening, leading individuals to delay their bedtime and shorten their sleep,’ they said. The study found that lack of sleep is mostly affected by the time people go to bed. They said the middleaged men get the least amount of sleep, less than the recommended seven to eight hours. Researchers said age is the main factor determining the amount of sleep.
