A cross-sectional analysis using NHANES data examined the relationship between sleep duration and estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR), a proxy for insulin sensitivity that integrates factors such as HbA1c, blood pressure, and waist circumference. The study included 23,475 adults after excluding pregnant individuals and those under 20.
Weekday sleep duration showed a non-linear, inverted U-shaped association with eGDR, with a turning point at about 7 hours 19 minutes (7.32 hours). Within this framework, longer weekday sleep up to 7.32 hours correlated with higher eGDR (lower insulin resistance), while sleep of 7.32 hours or more associated with lower eGDR.
Subgroup analyses indicated the strongest adverse association at or above 7.32 hours among women, adults aged 40–59, and individuals with BMI ≥30. Weekend catch-up sleep modified the weekday relationship: among those sleeping <7.32 hours on weekdays, adding up to 2 hours on weekends related to higher eGDR, especially when the gain was 1–2 hours.
For those already achieving ≥7.32 hours, weekend catch-up sleep showed no clear eGDR benefit, and excess weekend sleep could attenuate glycemic control.
Medical News Today published a clinical update in Research Highlights on 05 Mar 2026.
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