London, Mar 9: People who take day-time naps daily may be at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to a new study.

Researchers from University of Birmingham have revealed that during their study, people who slept during the day were 26 per cent more likely to become diabetics.

While the condition is often attributed to unhealthy lifestyles and being overweight, lack of good night sleep is also known to be a contributing factor

And regular nappers are less likely to sleep well at night.

The researchers examined the sleeping habits of 16,480 older people in China, and about 68 per cent of them took regular naps.

The team observed that napping during the day just once a week increased the likelihood of developing the diabetes.

The researchers said that even when they took into account other contributing factors, such as the weight of the subjects, there was an obvious link between sleeping for short periods and type-2 diabetes.

"Our research provides us with an additional insight on the risk factors behind type-2 diabetes,” the Scotsman quoted Dr Shahrad Taheri, from the University of Birmingham, as saying.

"As the number of people with type-2 diabetes keeps increasing, it is crucial that we do everything we can to help prevent people from developing the condition," he added.

Dr Iain Frame, director of research at Diabetes UK, said that the new research could be another step towards explaining the possible link between disturbed sleep patterns and type-2 diabetes.

"However, in terms of being major risk factors for developing type-2 diabetes, disturbed sleep or napping are likely to remain less significant than already established risk factors such as being overweight, being over the age of 40 or having a history of diabetes in the family," said Frame. (ANI)