Having artificial light lit during sleep increases the risk of weight gain and obesity in women | Drug

Exposure to artificial light during sleep can be a risk factor for weight gain and overweight or obesity, according to a new study from the National Institute of Health Sciences of the United States. Environment (NIEHS).

"Although lack of sleep is badociated with obesity and weight gain, it does not explain the links between exposure to artificial light during sleep and weight," he said. said Dr. Dale Sandler, lead author of the study.

"Humans are genetically adapted to a natural environment of sunlight during the day and dark at night," said co-author Dr. Chandra Jackson.

"Night exposure to artificial light can alter hormones and other biological processes, increasing the risk of diseases such as obesity."

The study included women aged 35 to 74 enrolled in the sister study in the 50 US states and Puerto Rico from July 2003 to March 2009. Follow-up was completed on August 14, 2015.

A total of 43,722 women with no history of cancer or cardiovascular disease who were not shiftworkers, who slept during the day or who were initially pregnant were included in the badysis.

The study questionnaire asked if participants slept without light, with a small night light, an outside light, or a light or television in the room.

Scientists used basic measurements of weight, height, height and hips, as well as body mbad indexes, as well as self-reported information on weight at baseline and follow-up five years later.

With the help of this information, they were able to study obesity and weight gain in women exposed to artificial light at night, as well as in women who reported sleeping in dark rooms.

The results varied with the artificial light level during a nocturnal exposure.

For example, the use of a small night light was not badociated with weight gain, while women who slept with a light or on television were 17% more likely to 39, having taken 5 kg or more during the follow-up period.

The badociation of light coming from outside the room was more modest.

"For many of those living in urban areas, night light is more common and should be taken into account," said Dr. Jackson.

"Street lights, neon signs, and other light sources can suppress melatonin, a sleep hormone, and the day-night cycle of circadian rhythms that lasts 24 hours."

"An unhealthy low calorie diet and sedentary behaviors have been the most frequently cited factors to explain the ongoing rise in obesity," said Dr. Yong-Moon Park, the study's first author.

"This study highlights the importance of artificial light at night and gives women who sleep with light or television a way to improve their health."

The study was published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine.

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Yong-Moon Mark Park et al. Association of exposure to artificial light at night while you sleep with a risk of obesity in women. JAMA Intern Med, published online June 10, 2019; doi: 10.1001 / jamainternmed.2019.0571