For postmenopausal women, sleeping is key to healthy bones

An article in The New York Times reports on a study led by Heather Ochs-Balcom, associate professor of epidemiology and environmental health in the School of Public Health and Health Professions. The research found that menopausal women who slept less than five hours had significantly lower bone mineral density and higher odds of osteoporosis at the hip, spine and total body compared to woman who slept more. “The difference we observed between these two groups was equal to about one year of bone aging,” said Ochs-Balcom. “This is not a huge difference, but it tells us that, in yet one more aspect of health, sleep is important. Any chance we have to spread the message to improve sleep could be helpful in other aspects of physical and mental health.”