You'll probably agree that getting enough sleep is important for good health. But, when it comes to sleep, how do you know if the number of hours you're getting is too much, too little, or just right? According to a new study from the Division of Health Interview Statistics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American adults who usually sleep fewer than 6 hours or more than 9 hours a night are more likely to have poor health habits than those who sleep 7 to 8 hours a night .

Using data from the 2004-2006 National Health Interview Survey, the study investigators found that adults who slept less than 6 hours or more than 9 hours a night were more likely to smoke, drink five or more alcoholic beverages a day, and be physically inactive in their leisure time. These adults were also more likely to be obese than adults who slept 7 to 8 hours a night. These results shouldn't be interpreted to mean that too little or too much sleep causes behaviors that may put your health at risk. Perhaps smoking, alcohol use, and lack of exercise lead to poor sleep patterns. And perhaps other factors that were not analyzed, such as socioeconomic status, influence sleep behavior and health habits as well.

More research is needed to better understand this association between sleep and behavior patterns that might be risky to your health. However, the authors of the study suggest that these findings stress how important it is for healthcare professionals to discuss smoking, alcohol usage, physical activity, and obesity with their patients who have sleep disturbances.

Source

Charlotte A. Schoenborn, M.P.H., and Patricia F. Adams. Sleep Duration as a Correlate of Smoking, Alcohol Use, Leisure-Time Physical Inactivity, and Obesity Among Adults: United States, 2004- 2006. CDC, National Center for Health Statistics Health E Stats, 7 May 2008.