Thejet lag social, a syndrome related to the lack of synchronization between the body clock and the schedule of our daily tasks, not only causes us drowsiness. According to a study published in the latest issue of the journal ‘Current Biology’, it is also responsible for the global obesity epidemic.
“We have identified a syndrome in modern society that no one had recognized until recently, which is caused bymismatch between the physiological clock and the social clock“explains Till Roenneberg, from the University of Munich (Germany).” What the body clock tells us and what our bosses tell us do not coincide, “the researcher clarifies. One of the consequences is that people are deprived of the hours of sleep they need chronically. In addition, they are more likely to smoke and drink more alcohol and caffeine. And after ten years of study, Roenneber and his team have just shown that the syndrome contributes to overweight and obesity.
To combat it, the researchers suggest that work and school hours should be changed, in addition to ensuring that people spendmore time outdoors, exposed to daylight, or at least sitting near a window. When people don’t follow these tips, their internal clock goes awry, causing them to stay awake at night and tired during the day. “If we have to wake up with the alarm clock it is because we have not had enough sleep,” explains Roenneberg. Sleeping well, he adds, is not only not a waste of time but it also guaranteeshigher work performance, a more stylized figure and more fun with family and friends at leisure.
