Teenagers who get up late are at risk for health problems

Teenagers who get up late are at risk for health problems such as diabetes because they eat more sugar when they are tired, a study has suggested.

Researchers followed young people’s eating patterns over a week when they slept 6.5 hours at night, and a week where they slept for 9.5.

While consuming roughly the same amount of calories in both phases, they ate fewer fruits and vegetables and more of the types of foods that cause an increase in blood sugar once they had had less sleep.

This meant that when the teenagers were tired, they ate an average of 12 grams of extra added sugar a day – equivalent to three extra teaspoons.

Researchers followed young people’s eating patterns over a week when they slept 6.5 hours at night and a week where they slept for 9.5 (stock image)

Dr. Kara Duraccio, lead author of the study from Brigham Young University in the United States, said the ‘types’ of calories we consume, rather than just the amount, were important.

“When we eat a diet that is high in foods that increase our blood sugar rapidly, such as foods high in carbohydrates or added sugar, it negatively affects the energy balance and increases fat deposits, which can result in weight gain,” she said. .

‘We also know that regular consumption [such] foods increase the risk of developing cardiometabolic diseases. ‘ These include heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.

Dr. Duraccio added: “We suspect tired teenagers are looking for quick energy outbursts to keep them going until they can go to bed.”

The study, which followed 93 teens ages 14-17, was published in the journal Sleep.

This meant that when the teenagers were tired, they ate an average of 12 grams of extra sugar a day – equivalent to three extra teaspoons (stock photo)