Previous research has established a link between chronic sleep problems and numerous health issues, particularly cardiometabolic and psychiatric disorders. However, establishing clear associations has been challenging due to the limitations of data collection methods.
Using Fitbit data, a recent long-term study published in Nature Medicine found that individuals who consistently experience poor sleep are more prone to a wide range of chronic health issues compared to those who sleep well.
The research team analyzed sleep patterns of 6,785 adults who wore a Fitbit device to bed and correlated this data with the subjects’ health conditions. The median monitoring period was approximately 4.5 years.
The team accessed and analyzed data from volunteers in the All of Us Research Program, which gathers nightly data from Fitbit users along with their health information. The Fitbit device monitors sleep by tracking heart rate and movement, accurately determining when a person is in REM, deep, and light sleep, as well as measuring sleep duration and restless sleep periods. Volunteer profiles included details like disease history, age, sex, height, weight, and other relevant factors.
The researchers examined the relationship between sleep quality and the occurrence of diseases among the participants. They discovered an inverse association between deep and REM sleep and an increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation. Additionally, they found links between irregular sleep patterns with major depressive disorders, obesity, anxiety disorders, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension.
In essence, this study highlights the crucial role of quality sleep in maintaining overall health. The findings underscore the importance of good sleep hygiene and the potential health risks associated with chronic sleep problems.
Sleep is often an overlooked element of good health and usually is the one sacrificed. However, emerging research has shown time and time again that good sleep is a keystone to good health and should be treated with the same degree of importance as healthy eating and exercise.
NS Zheng et al. Sleep patterns and risk of chronic disease as measured by long-term monitoring with commercial wearable devices in the All of Us Research Program. Nature Medicine (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-024-03155-8
