“Social jet lag refers to the mismatch between an individual’s biological circadian rhythm [body clock] and their socially imposed sleep schedules. Other researchers have found that social jetlag relates to obesity and some indicators of cardiovascular function,” study author Patricia Wong, of the University of Pittsburgh, said in a news release from the Endocrine Society.
“However, this is the first study to extend upon that work and show that even among healthy, working adults who experience a less extreme range of mismatches in their sleep schedule, social jetlag can contribute to metabolic problems,” Wong said.
“These metabolic changes can contribute to the development of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease,” she explained.
But, what they found in the study does not prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship between inconsistent sleep habits and the development of these diseases.
“If future studies replicate what we found here, then we may need to consider as a society how modern work and social obligations are affecting our sleep and health,” Wong said.
“There could be benefits to clinical interventions focused on circadian disturbances, workplace education to help employees and their families make informed decisions about structuring their schedules, and policies to encourage employers to consider these issues,” Wong concluded.
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