a regional network of academic institutions

Sleep and Work, and its Consequences on Metabolism – a Cross-Border Research and Development Project

A large proportion of the Danish and German population suffers from metabolic disorders, sleep disturbances and shift work problems. Metabolic and sleep disturbances are an important factor for invalidity resulting in early retirement of workers and high costs for the health system.

Therefore, prevention of these problems is important. We will study the health effects of sleep, work, nutrition and metabolism in the context of the Syddanmark-Schleswig KERN Region, where conditions for studying and alleviating problematic effects of this are particularly favorable because of strong research groups in twin research and biological rhytms.

The human patterns of physical activity, eating and sleeping were developed during evolution when humans led a life governed by the circadian and circannual rhythms, as well as availability of food. The modern lifestyle with shortened sleep, unhealthy food and low physical activity does not only lead to sleeping problems and obesity respectively, but they seem to interact so that sleep disturbances lead to obesity and disturbed metabolism and obesity lead to disturbed sleep.

The knowledge so far is based on simple epidemiological evidence which may be confounded by a range of factors, among them also genetic factors, because both sleeping patterns and metabolic disturbances are known to be influenced by genetic factors. The interaction between sleep, work and metabolic disturbances is not elucidated until now. We will study these associations in a design where we control for genes, age, socioeconomic state and maternal effects.

Furthermore, we will address the interactions between specific genes controlling biological rhythms, their expression and the environment underlying the relationships described above. Network partners will be involved with regard to further usage of the knowledge from the project. Hopefully, this will in the long run improve conditions of shift workers as well as patients with sleeping disorders, prevent development of metabolic disorders and improve the life quality of workers and patients in the region.

Leadpartner:

Syddansk Universitet (SDU), Institut for Regional Sudhedsforskning

Project partners:

• Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel (CAU)
• Universitätsklinik Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Campus Kiel
• Odense Kommune, Center for Velfærdsteknologi
• Region Syddanmark

Other network partners:

• Gesundheitsregion NORD e.V.
• Ministerium für Arbeit, Soziales und Gesundheit des Landes Schleswig-Holstein
• Region Syddanmark

Duration of the project:

01.05.2010 - 31.07.2013