Abstract

The Effects of Sleeping Patterns on Dietary Consumption

Author(s): Jennifer Stewart

Poor nutrition increases illness risk, while poor sleep has an impact on nutrition. The National Sleep Foundation recommends that people (26-64 years old) sleep for 7-9 hours and older persons (65 years old) sleep for 7-8 hours for optimal health, however 6 hours for adults and 5-6 hours for older adults is insufficient. Sleep length has also been researched in the context of chronic disorders. Short sleep has been associated with hypertension, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and all-cause mortality, regardless of weight, most likely because of alterations in metabolic markers that predispose persons to cardiovascular and metabolic illnesses.