Scientists at Wenzhou Medical University (China) found that a stable sleep pattern and eight hours of sleep per night are most favorable for successful aging.
Oku.Az it is reported with reference to Gazeta.ru.
According to the information, 3,306 volunteers with an average age of 60 years participated in the study. Participants’ total sleep duration was calculated by adding daytime and nighttime sleep using self-reported data from 2011, 2013, and 2015.
The researchers assessed healthy aging based on five criteria: absence of chronic diseases, ability to perform daily activities independently, cognitive well-being, minimal symptoms of depression, and social activity. The analysis was adjusted for factors such as body mass index (BMI), lifestyle, physical activity level, unhealthy habits, income, education, place of residence, sex and age.
During the nine-year follow-up period, most participants (81%) avoided chronic diseases, but only 13.8% met the criteria for successful aging.
Researchers have identified five sleep patterns: short and constant, increasing (by duration), decreasing, long and stable. In the group with a normal and stable sleep pattern, the indicators of successful aging were the highest – 18.1%.
Normal, stable, and long-stable sleep patterns were more favorable for successful aging, while short, stable, increasing, and decreasing sleep patterns were associated with lower health scores.
Sleeping less than seven hours has also been found to reduce the chances of well-being in old age. Participants with high variability in sleep duration were also less likely to experience healthy aging. These observations were similar for all subgroups, including men and women of different weights, tobacco and alcohol use, and different ages.
