People who sleep less than 7 hours a day expose themselves to diseases, study says
A new study has revealed that one-third of American adults lack proper sleep, putting their health at risk for a number of diseases and psychiatric disorders.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) investigated the sleeping habits of 444,306 adults aged 18 to 60 across the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, according to Lighthouse News Daily.
Adults are supposed to get at least seven hours of sleep per night. From the data that the CDC obtained, it was learned that only 65.2 percent of the country's adult population still enjoy proper rest.
The researchers learned that people living in the Plains states (Kansas, Missouri, North and South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, etc.) are more likely to sleep at least seven hours every night, with South Dakota garnering the highest percentage of individuals who get the right amount of sleep (71.6 percent).
On the flip side, people from the Deep South (particularly Georgia and Alabama) are sleep-deprived, with Hawaiian residents actually getting the least amount of rest (56.1 percent).
Investigators also learned that it is not just geographic differences that affect sleep, since an individual's marital status has a great effect on one's sleeping patterns as well. A married person reportedly has healthier sleeping habits, since 67 percent of those who have spouses reveal that they get at least seven hours of sleep every night.
In contrast, only 62 percent of single people get enough sleep, while 56 percent of those who are widowed, separated or divorced enjoy the same thing.
Meanwhile, Pacific Islanders and Native Hawaiians get the most insufficient sleep, since only 54 percent of them get seven hours every night. Those who aren't Hispanic, on the other hand, are better rested with 67 percent getting the right amount of sleep.
Researchers said sleep is important; otherwise, people expose themselves to diabetes, obesity and problems with the cardiovascular and cognitive system.
Lack of sleep also affects people's productivity, focus, and memory, the study said.
It also causes psychiatric issues such as anxiety, panic attacks, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, the study added.
