The endocrinologist explained the effect of the switched-on light on the development of obesity

Constantly turning on lights at night can disrupt melatonin production, leading to metabolic problems, including obesity. On March 25, Yulia Sidorova, an endocrinologist, nutritionist, and clinic at the Soft Medical Center, told Izvestia.

Due to the constant light on, the production of melatonin, which is usually associated with the sleep hormone, is disrupted. However, in fact, melatonin also plays a key role in activating other hormones. When its level is disrupted, especially due to poor sleep, it causes problems with sleep depth and can lead to chronic sleep deprivation.

Sidorova clarified that in response to the lack of energy, the body tries to compensate for this by changes in the levels of ghrelin and leptin, hormones that regulate hunger and satiety. Sleep disorders increase the amount of ghrelin, which increases hunger, and decrease the level of leptin, responsible for satiety.

"Accordingly, people who chronically do not get enough sleep, they tend to eat so—called gourmet food, that is, food with a high degree of calorie content," the doctor noted.

According to the endocrinologist, sleeping in the light is especially undesirable for a number of categories of people, as it can worsen existing health problems. Thus, people with metabolic disorders, including patients with prediabetes, type II diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome, as well as people with hypertension and cardiovascular risk, are one of the most vulnerable groups. Disruption of circadian rhythms can increase metabolic problems and negatively affect overall health.

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In addition, long-term shift workers and workers with irregular schedules are also at risk. Artificial light at night is becoming a major factor in circadian disorganization, which is associated with an increased likelihood of developing type II diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers. The longer a person works night shifts, the higher this risk. In addition, people with depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety may also suffer from a lack of nighttime sleep.

"In this group, disorders of circadian rhythms and sleep are closely associated with exacerbations, and light at night is considered a trigger through its effect on melatonin and a phase shift in biological rhythms," the doctor noted.

Children and adolescents have a more pronounced sensitivity of the circadian system to light.

"Late evening/night light (including screens) shifts sleep phases, impairs sleep quality and potentially affects metabolism. In adolescence, this is superimposed on high learning stress and lack of sleep, which increases the consequences," the doctor concluded.

Medical Xpress magazine reported on March 19 that people who regularly exercise in the early morning are less likely to develop coronary heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. At the same time, the study shows only an associative relationship and does not prove that morning workouts directly improve health indicators.

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