A new study reveals that individuals who prefer staying up late, known as "night owls," are more likely to engage in unhealthy lifestyle behaviors and have an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. The analysis of data from over 60,000 female nurses showed that night owls were more prone to unhealthy diets, less exercise, higher body mass index, shorter sleep duration, and smoking. Even after accounting for these factors, night owls still had a 19% higher risk of developing diabetes. The study suggests that the risk may be due to a misalignment between a person's natural body clock and their environment, particularly their work schedule. It emphasizes the importance of adopting healthy habits for individuals with late-night body clocks to mitigate the risk.
A study conducted by researchers from the University of Sydney has found that an unhealthy lifestyle increases the likelihood of needing assisted living services in old age. The study examined factors such as smoking, physical activity, sitting, sleep, and diet and their impact on the chances of requiring admission to nursing homes. Participants with high-risk lifestyle behaviors were 43% more likely to be admitted to a nursing home compared to those with low-risk behaviors. The study highlights the importance of encouraging older individuals to improve their lifestyle choices to reduce the burden on the aged care system.
Hypertension or high blood pressure is a major factor responsible for heart-related disorders among the younger generation, including Gen Z. Chronic high blood pressure exerts excessive pressure on the heart muscles and damages the lining of the walls of the arteries, leading to a build-up of plaque, which can cause narrowing of the arteries and reduced blood flow, or even blockage. Unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as eating food high in saturated fats, avoiding regular exercise, and living a stress-filled life, are making the younger generation susceptible to hypertension and related heart disorders. Regular check-ups for blood pressure are necessary for everyone, including Gen Z.
The annual death toll from strokes could triple by 2030 due to unhealthy lifestyles such as eating too much ultra-processed food, smoking, and lack of exercise, warns a new report by experts in China. Ischaemic strokes, the most common where a clot cuts blood supply to the brain, will be claiming up to 6.4 million lives a year at the end of the decade. The study identified seven major risk factors behind the growing burden of stroke, including smoking, a sodium-rich diet, kidney dysfunction, high blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, and BMI. However, ischemic stroke is highly preventable through lifestyle changes such as regular physical activity, low-salt diets, and smoking cessation.
The incidence of strokes among adults under 50 in the US has continued to increase over the last 30 years, with doctors suggesting that unhealthy lifestyles and neglecting healthcare during the pandemic could be contributing factors. Experts are urging younger people to know the warning signs of a stroke, including face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty, and to call 9-1-1 immediately. May is National Stroke Awareness Month, and doctors are looking for answers to why strokes are happening in younger patients.
