Sleep turns out to be more important than nutrition and exercise for life expectancy
Scientists at Oregon Health and Science University have linked adequate sleep to longevity.
Quick Look
A US study found that getting enough sleep is closely linked to longer life expectancy, and the link is stronger than that of diet and physical activity.
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Why It Matters
The study by Oregon Health & Science University researchers was published in the journal Sleep Advances (SA).
Getting enough sleep has been shown to be closely linked to longer life expectancy. Moreover, this connection was stronger than for nutrition and physical activity. The study by Oregon Health & Science University researchers was published in the journal Sleep Advances (SA).
Scientists studied data from residents of different US counties for 2019–2025. They compared life expectancy to the proportion of people who regularly slept less than seven hours a night.
It turned out that in regions where people were more likely to get less sleep, average life expectancy was lower. The association persisted even after controlling for physical activity, diet, education, employment and other factors. Only smoking was more strongly associated with life expectancy than lack of sleep, and with additional consideration of diseases, obesity was also more strongly associated.
Researchers note that adequate sleep may be as important for a long life as proper nutrition and physical activity. However, the work was observational and does not prove that lack of sleep directly shortens life.
The authors recommend that adults get between seven and nine hours of sleep per night if possible.
Open Questions
- What are the exact mechanisms by which sleep deprivation affects the body?
- Were participants' chronic illnesses taken into account?
