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SLEEPING TOO MUCH or not enough may have a negative impact on a person’s health, according to research.
Fewer than six and more than 10 hours of sleep per day are associated with metabolic syndrome – a group of conditions including increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist and abnormal cholesterol levels – a new study has found.
The research, which involved 133,608 Korean men and women aged 40-69 years, has been published in the journal BMC Public Health.
Researchers at Seoul National University College of Medicine found that compared to individuals who slept six to seven hours per day, men who slept fewer than six hours were more likely to have metabolic syndrome and a larger waist circumference.
Women who slept fewer than six hours were also more likely to have a larger waist circumference.
Sleeping more than 10 hours per day was associated with metabolic syndrome and increased levels of triglycerides (a type of fat that the body converts excess calories into), in men.
It was associated with metabolic syndrome, larger waist circumference, higher levels of triglycerides and blood sugar as well as low levels of ‘good’ cholesterol (HDL-C) in women.
The researchers found that nearly 11% of men and 13% of women slept less than six hours, while 1.5% of men and 1.7% of women slept more than 10 hours.
Potential gender difference
Claire E Kim, lead author of the study, said: “This is the largest study examining a dose-response association between sleep duration and metabolic syndrome and its components separately for men and women.
“Because we were able to expand the sample of our previous study, we were able to detect associations between sleep and metabolic syndrome that were unnoticed before.
We observed a potential gender difference between sleep duration and metabolic syndrome, with an association between metabolic syndrome and long sleep in women and metabolic syndrome and short sleep in men.
Based on common definitions, participants were considered to have metabolic syndrome if they showed at least three of the following: elevated waist circumference, high triglyceride levels, low levels of ‘good’ cholesterol, hypertension and high fasting blood sugar.
The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was just over 29% in men and 24.5% in women. The authors suggest that as the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Korea is high, it is critical to identify modifiable risk factors such as sleep duration.
Previous study
The authors used data from the Health Examinees (HEXA) study, a large-scale community-based study conducted in Korea between 2004 and 2013, which included information on sociodemographic characteristics, medical history, medication use, family history, lifestyle factors, diet, physical activity, and reproductive factors for women.
As part of the HEXA study, samples of plasma, blood cells, genomic DNA and urine were collected, and participants underwent physical examinations by medical professionals. Sleep duration was assessed by asking the question: ‘In the past year, on average, how many hours/minutes of sleep (including daytime naps) did you take per day?’
Although the biological mechanisms that underlie the association between sleep duration and metabolic syndrome remain unclear, several potential processes have been reported.
These include elevated levels of hormones which increase appetite and caloric intake or reduce energy expenditure in people who sleep less than seven hours per day, which may lead to increased waist circumference and development of obesity.
The authors caution that the cross-sectional, observational nature of this study does not allow for conclusions about cause and effect.
Estimates of sleep duration were based on self-reporting data rather than objective measures and may reflect time spent in bed, actual time spent asleep or time people believed they slept. Also, as the study did not distinguish between daytime naps and nighttime sleep, their impact on health could not be assessed separately.
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I did. Not because I thought I needed permission but because it was his only daughter and thought the tradition might be nice.
@seamus mcdillon:
Nice and respectful.
@seamus mcdillon: it sounds like a nice idea, but I think it’s one of those traditions that should be broken. I’d much rather they were respectful to my daughter than to me, and I wouldn’t take offence by it. If one of their boyfriends actually meant it (thinking that we own these women) then it would be a definite “no”.
@Gulliver Foyle: does the same apply to a woman, do you think….to an only son?
@Gulliver Foyle:
Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire.
Can’t they be respectful to you, your daughter, and the tradition, No?
@Charles Alexander: Nice and respectful to you wife whom ownership is implied by asking permission to marry her. That’s my view and why I didn’t ask
@Charles Alexander: first you ask the daughter
@helen walsh:
That really speaks for itself, does it not?
@Michael Carty:
When I asked permission, I didn’t see it that way. I didn’t feel that my wife’s mother ‘owned’ her daughter therefore, I wasn’t seeking a transfer of ownership
I essentially asked for her blessing and did so out of respect.
I think we really need to get over ourselves on this one.
her parents asked me would I get on with it and marry her they wanted to put her room on AiRBnb.
@Ireland Just shoot me: it would depend on the dowry-if I was getting a site or even two cows i’d nearly take the hand off him.
@Ireland Just shoot me: nice people who understand the value of a buck. Make sure you charge well for permission to visit their grandchildren.
I think no, there’s a sense if “ownership” about it that makes me uncomfortable.
@Maggie O’Connor: Oh God here we go again with.
ITS A WOMAN’S THING.
@Alan Scott: what have you got against womans things?.. most men like them.
@Maggie O’Connor: my dad would say no just because he asked! A couple is a team who decides their own future together not one asking for permission to marry the other to someone else. No matter who they are.
@Deborah Behan: Hard to believe it still happens- likes it’s 1912 forever.
@Maggie O’Connor: made me smilr
@Maggie O’Connor: Ha Ha LOL
Why I need permission or a blessing from anyone to make an adult decision is deeply insulting to me. It’s an old school tradition based on ownership of the woman. Anyone who actually likes this needs to have a good think about the origins of this so archaic tradition.
@Claire Fogarty:
I assume you would take exception with your partner asking your parents for permission?
I assume also, you feel the same way regarding engagement and the wearing of an engagement ring? The same argument concerning ‘ ownership’ applies.
I’m not tying to be smart here, I’m generally interested in your views as this was a lighthearted family debate held over the Christmas.
@Claire Fogarty: It’s a gesture of respect to a woman’s father and nothing more. It’s facile to think people in this day and age actually believe a father conveys ownership of his daughter.
@I’m not wavy gravy: Ownership? Its to do with respect.. I also don’t see who it is archaic.
@I’m not wavy gravy: Is there any gesture of respect to the worman’s other parent, or is it only the father who gets asked to hand his daughter over?
@Claire Fogarty: Agreed BUT sitting down your parent(s) and TELLING tghem your future plans is just plain respect is it not? Well maybe if you don’t have a decent relationship with the parents you are not so obliged. Seeking permission is bloody nonsense. We are not living in medieval ireland (Oh wait Medieval Ireland was far more organised and respectful of women than some are now).
@DaisyChainsaw: This particular tradition usually pertains to the father/daughter relationship. If you want to start a new one there’s nothing stopping you.
@Lad: Isn’t that what I said?
@I’m not wavy gravy: The “tradition” has it’s basis in the woman to be married as property to be traded between one owner (father) and another (husband).
@DaisyChainsaw: Yes and as I’ve already said it’s a facile understanding to assume that this is still the case.
A moment ago you asked me if there was a similar tradition for the other parent. Does this mean you’re ok with the notion of gifting ownership of a daughter so long as the mother is consulted too? Or are you just picking sex-based arguments as usual?
@Claire Fogarty: Yet, were someone to hold a chair out for you, or to hold a door open for you would you give them a good tongue lashing and tell them how insulting you find these archaic traditions? I very much doubt it. Both of these “chivalrous” acts have their origins with ladies wide bustle, the large frame under their dress which made opening doors and sitting difficult.
Most old traditions would not be applicable in todays world, they’re just traditions – nothing more. Every culture, country, and possibly locality has them, trying to make sense of them in todays world, complaining about them when they don’t fit your understanding is, well. Silly. It’s YOU who doesn’t understand. Have you ever shaken hands with someone, ever said “bless you”, when someone sneezes, all traditions, all archaic. None invented or designed to insult womanhood or you. Have a nice life.
@I’m not wavy gravy: so you’re patronising the father?
@Claire Fogarty: Its called respect
Yes, if your partner is under 18. Not if he or she is an adult.
@Ben McArthur: it’s not wrong to ask your future father in law for his daughters hand in marriage. I personally like the tradition and it’s a mark of respect to your future father in law. Absolutely nothing wrong with not asking either though.
@Michael Powell: Totally disagree – No need to lick up to the parents when asking the woman in your life to marry you. If you have been respectful and looked after her while together you’ll know the parents will approve. I didn’t ask as I knew my wife would have liked to have being asked first.
A lot of woman like to break the news to their families rather than having people know before. Weddings are based around a lot of outdated traditions for sure but I cringe at this particular one when I hear lads doing it. It’s not like you won’t propose if they say no :)
@Brian: that’s why it’s a personal choice. It’s not wrong either way. It may be an outdated tradition to me and you but to my father in law, it meant the world to him. It was gesture of respect to him to take him for a few pints and ask him.
@Michael Powell: A mark of respect to your future father in law and a mark of disrespect to the person you’re marrying. S/he isn’t property to be given and taken. Did you demand a dowry for her too?
@Michael Powell: should you have asked him first before you took him for the few pints-might have enjoyed the few pints better.
@Brian: But Brian, in a lot of cases you will be getting hand out after hand out from the bride’s family (deposits, babysitting, loans, advice), so a bit of fake licking up might be a safe bet.
@DaisyChainsaw: wow. Feminism in full swing. Did you ever think that my wife also saw it as a lovely gesture too! It’s not about ownership, should we forget all traditions?
Of course I’d ask because he’ll be the one paying.
@Jonathan Power: You living in 1971 ?
@Jonathan Power: Why, as you can tell the parents that you and their daughter now share so much in common… As that is what the STI clinic said, lol.
My future son in law asked me for my daughter’s hand in marriage. They should it’s a nice gesture of respect starting off.
@Alan Scott: Of course it is a nice gesture of respect. It shows how, until she marries, your daughter is your property and after marriage will be your son-in-law’s property. Silly women getting above their station and expecting to be the first to be asked in how the rest of their lives will pan out.
@Brian Ó Dálaigh: She is not marrying my daughter (he is) you have miss read my post as well. Go back to bed and stop getting excited
@Alan Scott: If HE is a nice guy and HE is known to be one..then there is no need for this archaic crap
@Alan Scott: I never said she is marrying your daughter. Please, learn how to read English and try to understand the meaning of punctuation. I’m not particularly excited about the issue. I’m more mocking your archaic belief system that entails treating women as property that requires permission before being passed into someone else’s ownership. There is no need for excitement as, thankfully, your ilk are a fast-dying breed.
@Mark Johnson: oh i think there. is-He was feeding her long enough-now you’ll be feeding another mans daughter.
I’d like to take this opportunity to take deep offense and get outraged on behalf of everyone that ever married an orphan.
@Tweed Cap: well really is Fine Gaels fault.
If any man ever asks for my daughters hand in marriage I’m using the precedent set by Heracles and I am going to set him 12 labours.
@Clancy: Or Hercules, whatever his name was.
1 : Solve the homelessness crisis
2. Reform the Irish banking system.
3. Introduce Universal Basic Income.
4. Roll out Rural broadband.
I should probably start him on an easy one though.
@Clancy:
1 – He and she can pay for a roof over their head. That’s enough for now.
2 – No bank needed, equality means she can earn her own moolah.
3 – What’s mine is hers, is that not enough?
4 – No time for browsing the web, babas to be made and looked after.
Right….. We good to go?
Only if the terms and conditions cover a return if unsatisfied!
It’s a joke ladies!
@Murph: And where is that stamped lol.
I’m happy that my Irish husband asked my parent’s approval to marry me, or talked it through with them. It’s nothing to do with ownership, it simply shows he respects my parents, which is important to me.
@Ania_on_coffee: Did you speak to his parents too?.
@James Brown: James Brown: LOL you mean did I ask their permission? My husband asked me to marry him and I agreed, it’s not me who asked. A man can ask if he wants to for an opinion of his own family about the woman prior to proposing to the woman. Of course we spoke to his family but it was more of an announcement.
@Ania_on_coffee: Lol why does he “ask for approval” and you announce it to your family?
This is very sad.
@James Brown: Because I’m younger than my husband, I lived with my parents before marriage and I’m their only daughter. My husband is a fully independent grown man.
No. A father doesn’t own his daughter so his permission isn’t necessary.
Some people might think it’s a sign of respect but it’s pretty disrespectful to the woman you want to marry and her mother.
As it tends to be women who brings kids into the world and who does the majority of the childrearing, why is their ‘permission’ not requested?
@Ciara Ni Mhurchu: so is picking and choosing traditions ok then? Will you wear a dress or a black pant suit to marry? Will you cut the cake together? Or will you show the world you can cut the cake yourself? You should check the meaning of those two before you giddy up on your high horse.
@Brendan Hughes: Of course picking and choosing traditions is ok.
People make their own traditions. It was tradition to go to mass every Sunday. How many do that now?
@Ciara Ni Mhurchu: then if that’s how you feel then you have no right to criticise what traditions others choose to stick with.
I did. Not because I needed permission but because it’s a tradition and I think it’s a nice one.
Personal preference, if he said no I’d have asked regardless.
It not about the parents saying yes/no, it can be time for the parents to voice concerns or give advice. And that parents love and care even tho will be still there you will taken on the same.
Did I ask for his permission when she got pregnant first, hell no!
Hello! we’re in the 21st century not the 21st year
In much of the world parents arrange the wife for a man….Idea is parents know son or daughter better than Western idea of falling in love….India Pakistan China and many Africian countries have this practice…..In India a dowry in gold must be paid…..Otherwise no marriage…….Western idea of chemistry and falling in love is more recent practice in Western countries….
Only if they’re under 14
If two people are marrying under the age of 30, two families are being brought into an in-law relationship. We can’t expect all in-laws to like each other personally, but if a marriage subsequently gets into difficulties, there are members of both families who may be able to step in discreetly and help.
Where farms, farm outhouses and expensive farm equipment are involved, inter-family mediation and co-operation are important. Our divorce law has made farm families cagey about people about to wed. They are in great numbers expecting the intending marriage partners to sign pre-nuptial agreements regarding disposal of essential equipment and farm infrastructure. Contemporary Irish society has become undertain about the stability of the institution of marriage.
Look there is no obligation on anyone to ask “permission” for a daughters/sons hand, they are no ones property. BUT assuming the son/daughter have already agreed to getting married – to sit down and explain this to the parents is lets face just showing a wee bit of respect. I know respect is very difficult for some people to cope with – if someone DIDN’T sit me down and explain their plans I would explain they are being disrespectful and I would be worried that your lack of respect shows/displays a serious weakness of character.
@Austin Rock: Clearly a man is looking for a father’s blessing rather than permission as who is more valuable in a father’s eyes than his daughter.
@Austin Rock: spot on Austin.
I don’t belong to my parents so why the hell should the person who wants to marry ask my parents permission????? I understand it was very different story when this “tradition “ began but not in this day and age
Ah yes the Romans have just conquered Catharge and some prat is asking a grown womans father for permission to marry ….. ffs
Any self respecting father would be disgusted at the backwardness of it all. Embarrassing.
No old fashion..maybe my grandfather did
@Giovanni Casermaggio: was he Italian.
I asked my wife’s mother if it would be ok with her if asked her daughter to marry me, they both said yes! Don’t know what I’d have done if her mother said no!!
Ask permission to your wife-to-be to ask permission to her father, no brainer!
I asked her father, out of respect and I expect the same respect to be afforded to me. It is asking permission to ask for her hand not asking permission to marry. She might say no after all.
@Brendan Hughes: So you’re asking her dad for her hand but not for permission to marry her, although you’ll ask for his permission to marry her anyway?
@Ciara Ni Mhurchu: I only asked so I could broach the small matter of a dowry, you know like, love goes out the same door that poverty comes in. Minor matter, but she’d want to have something more than the legs of a lark like.
@Ciara Ni Mhurchu: Are you stalking poor Brendan.
Wouldn’t you be pure morto if you asked the da first, he said ‘work away kid’ and then she said no? Totes awks.
What if you asked her parents and they said yes, but the prospective wife then went on to say no.? Do you go back to the parents and withdraw you request for permission.?
It should not be expected anymore.
I think my dad would be very surprised if he was put in this positions.
I think a you should have met and have a good relationship with her parents. If your going to do anything why not include both her parents?
But personally, I don’t agree with surprise engagements. I think it’s something you both should be talking openly about, where at some point you are both talking with your families about the prospect of a wedding coming up.
I now have a list of names on this topic ,and I am not going to marry them not alone ask their parents for their hands or the rest of them for that matter in marriage as I know right well I would not get on with them .I will stay single and keep looking around
Pity we push people to go over all these stupid proceedings each time they wan to marry / divorce.
Can I marry your waster / slut???
Only if the parents pay for the wedding
@Niallers: Out of joy or out of relief?
i didn’t ask. We already had one child together at the time, were days away from a second and fast forward we are still together and expecting babies 4 & 5. The father in law to be gave us €100 upon hearing the news.
have your say