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CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM

Background of the Study

Sleep's impact on human health has been thoroughly examined, with

various studies focusing on its connection to different aspects of well-being.

However, one area that remains relatively underexplored is the relationship

between sleep and blood sugar levels. Sleep plays an important role in

maintaining good health, regulating essential functions such as blood sugar

levels (Akerstedt et al., 2017). The Philippine education system is known for its

rigorous curriculum and high academic expectations which often compels

students to engage in late-night studying and extensive homework, contributing

to irregular sleep schedules. The pressure to excel in examinations and meet

deadlines can force learners to sacrifice their sleep. This not only affects how

much they sleep but also the quality of their sleep, which can lead to health

problems. Studying the link between sleep patterns and blood sugar is very

important for the learners because optimal blood sugar levels are essential for

ensuring excellent cognitive function and energy levels throughout the day

especially when students have to deal with a lot of schoolwork. If the blood sugar

is too high or too low, it may result in various difficulties that the learners may

experience and could affect their performance in school.

Many research studies have consistently found a strong link between not

getting enough sleep and having poor sleep quality, and an increased risk of a

condition called insulin resistance. Insulin resistance means that your body has
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trouble using insulin effectively, and this can raise the risk of developing

prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. In a study conducted by Cauter and Reutrakul in

2018, they conducted experiments where they intentionally restricted the amount

of sleep participants got. The results of their study provided solid evidence that

sleep restriction can negatively affect how the body responds to insulin. This, in

turn, can lead to reduced ability to control blood sugar levels, ultimately

increasing the risk of developing diabetes. When individuals consistently don't

get enough sleep, it can become challenging for their bodies to properly manage

the amount of sugar in their blood. This leads to higher levels of sugar in the

blood, a characteristic feature of diabetes. The exact reasons why insufficient

sleep leads to insulin resistance are quite complex and not fully understood.

However, it is believed that sleep plays a role in regulating hormones and various

physiological processes that directly impact how the body handles sugar.

The researchers observed that Juan G. Macaraeg National High School

faces significant challenges related to sleep patterns and their impact on the

learners' blood sugar levels. Many students struggle with irregular sleep routines,

which in turn affects their blood sugar regulation. This disruption in sleep patterns

often leads to a tendency for learners to experience fluctuations in their blood

sugar levels, affecting their concentration and overall well-being. Learners

occasionally find themselves overthinking the consequences of their sleep

patterns on their blood sugar levels, which can lead to stress and anxiety. As a

result, they may keep their concerns to themselves. Some learners may resort to

unhealthy habits, such as consuming sugary snacks and drinks to combat fatigue
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caused by poor sleep, further increasing blood sugar issues. Maintaining stable

blood sugar levels is vital for the learners, as it directly affects their ability to

focus and learn effectively. Fluctuating blood sugar levels, combined with the

daily demands of school life, can lead to decreased academic performance and

general health issues. Individuals routinely navigate their daily routines, handle

their academic workload, and engage in extracurricular activities, all of which

require sustained energy. Poor sleep patterns disrupt this energy balance and

can contribute to imbalances in blood sugar, potentially leading to adverse health

effects. In cases where learners are unable to establish healthy sleep patterns, it

is essential to address this issue as a fundamental requirement for their well-

being and academic success. Therefore, analyzing the impact of sleep patterns

on blood sugar levels among students is important.

In the study Associations between sleep duration and sleep debt with

insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion in the EGIR-RISC Study - ScienceDirect,

short and long sleep duration are associated with a lower insulin sensitivity,

suggesting that sleep plays an important role in insulin resistance and may

provide the link with development of type 2 diabetes. Also, in the study The

Association Between Sleep Duration and Sleep Timing and Insulin Resistance

Among Adolescents in Mexico City - ScienceDirect, sleep duration and sleep

timing were independently associated with insulin resistance, and associations

were more pronounced among girls. These two citations demonstrate that sleep

duration has a significant impact on insulin resistance, which means that

individuals do not respond to insulin as effectively as they should. This, in turn,

can affect their blood sugar levels, causing them to fluctuate and potentially rise

to unhealthy levels. The individual's sleep duration is the amount of time an

individual spends sleeping, often measured in hours and minutes.

This research is about understanding how the amount of sleep senior high

school students get can affect their blood sugar. Senior high school students are

a unique group to study because they often experience changing sleep patterns

and face various factors that can make it challenging to get a good night's rest.

The researchers want to explore how all these factors come together and impact

their health. The researchers hold the belief that the duration of sleep plays a

crucial role in an individual's overall health, particularly in relation to blood sugar

levels, which are essential for daily activities. The researchers are confident that

uncovering the connection between these two variables will contribute to

improving the overall health and lifestyle of students. Furthermore, this study

holds promise for improving academic performance by empowering students to

evaluate their sleep routines and comprehend the ways in which these routines

can influence their overall health. This research study has the potential to

significantly impact the health, education, and overall well-being of high school

students, with wide-ranging beneficiaries including the students themselves,

schools, healthcare professionals, parents, and broader public health efforts. By

establishing the connection between sleep duration and blood sugar levels, this

study may pave the way for healthier and more informed choices among

students and contribute to a more robust and health-conscious society.

Statement of the Problem

Understanding the impact of sleep routines on the blood sugar levels of

learners is a crucial element of their general health and welfare. The significance

of enhancing the sleep routines of learners is widely acknowledged by experts

and educators; however, numerous individuals may not entirely appreciate the

profound effect that irregular sleep habits can have on blood sugar levels. Recent

assessments have exposed that erratic sleep patterns among students can result

in fluctuations in blood sugar levels, potentially leading to unfavorable health

outcomes. These irregularities often originate from factors such as excessive

screen time, academic stress, or disrupted sleep schedules, which, if unresolved,

can contribute to cognitive impairments, reduced attention span, and increased

risk of long-term health issues, including diabetes. Therefore, this research aims

to explore the difference in blood sugar levels before and after executing

interventions aimed at enhancing the sleep patterns of learners. By addressing

this issue, we aspire to enhance the overall welfare and academic performance

of students by promoting healthier sleep habits, ultimately reducing the risk of

complications associated with blood sugar levels. This study will concentrate on

assessing the impact of enhanced sleep patterns on the blood sugar levels of

students in Juan G. Macaraeg National High School.

This study aims to investigate the impact of sleep patterns on the blood

sugar levels of learners with a focus on the following key research

questions:

1. What are the sleep duration of learners, including:

a) Average hours of sleep per night

b) Regularity of sleep schedules, and

c) Prevalence of sleep disorders, if any, as self-reported by the

participants?

2. How do sleep duration influence the blood sugar levels of learners in terms of:

d) Measurable changes in fasting blood sugar levels, and

e) Variations in glucose tolerance level?

3. How do age and gender influence the blood sugar levels of the learners?

4. What is the correlation between sleep duration and blood sugar levels of the

learners?

Research Hypothesis

This study will test the following hypothesis at a significance level of 0.05:

Ho: There is no significant difference in the sleep duration of the learners and the

blood sugar levels of the learners.

Ha: There is a significant difference in the sleep duration of the learners and the

blood sugar levels of the learners.

Significance of the Study

As the research aims to investigate the Influence of Sleep Patterns on the

Blood Sugar level of learners, it seeks to provide valuable insights that can be

beneficial to various stakeholders. Therefore, the following groups stand to

benefit from this study:

Students. This research will inform students about the relationship between their

sleep patterns and blood sugar levels, enabling them to make informed choices
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to improve their sleep habits, which can have a direct impact on their health and

academic performance.

Educators. Teachers and educational institutions will gain a better

understanding of how sleep patterns influence the well-being of their students.

This knowledge can guide the development of strategies to support learners in

managing their sleep effectively, which, in turn, can enhance educational

outcomes.

Healthcare Professionals. Healthcare providers can use the findings of this

study to better address the health needs of students, especially those at risk of

blood sugar-related issues. They can integrate sleep patterns into their

assessments and recommendations.

Parents and Guardians. The study can equip parents and guardians with

insights into the importance of monitoring and nurturing healthy sleep patterns in

young learners, contributing to their overall well-being.

Public Health Authorities. The study can help the public health authorities to

develop targeted public health campaigns and educational initiatives aimed at

promoting healthy sleep habits among the youth population.

Future Researchers. This study contributes to the body of knowledge

surrounding the connection between sleep patterns and blood sugar levels.

Future researchers in fields related to sleep science, education, and public health

can build upon these findings to further explore and refine interventions and

strategies for maintaining healthy sleep habits and managing blood sugar levels.
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Scope and Delimitation of the Study

This research study will exclusively involve respondents from the Senior

High School learners of Juan G. Macaraeg National High School, aged between

15 and 20 years old. It aims to investigate the duration of sleep among these

learners and its correlation with their blood sugar levels. Alongside this, the study

will gather data on the gender of the participants to explore any potential

influence of gender on the relationship between sleep duration and blood sugar

levels.

Conducted solely within Juan G. Macaraeg National High School, the

research will focus specifically on the immediate effects of sleep duration on

blood sugar levels, acknowledging that other variables such as pre-existing

medical conditions, medication, and genetic predispositions may play a role,

although they will not be extensively studied due to the primary focus on sleep

duration. The study will involve a limited number of participants, recognizing the

necessity of a larger-scale study to ensure generalizability of the findings.

Definition of Terms

Influence. The effect of sleep patterns on learners' blood sugar levels, impacting

their health and academic performance

Duration. The length of time spent by learners in various sleep patterns and the

specific periods during which their blood sugar levels are monitored

Blood Sugar Level. The concentration of glucose in the bloodstream, crucial for

overall health and cognitive function

Learners. High school students, particularly those at Juan G. Macaraeg National

High School, facing challenges related to their sleep patterns and blood sugar

levels

Impact. Observable consequences of sleep patterns on blood sugar levels,

measured by changes in fasting blood sugar levels and glucose tolerance

Blood Sugar Fluctuation: The variation in blood sugar levels, which can include

sudden increases (hyperglycemia) or decreases (hypoglycemia)

Interventions: The strategies, activities, or programs implemented to improve

the sleep patterns and duration of learners with the goal of impacting their blood

sugar levels positively

Cognitive Function: The mental abilities of learners, including memory,

attention, problem-solving, and decision-making

Academic Performance: The learners' achievements in their educational

pursuits, such as grades, test scores, and overall success in their studies

Glucose Tolerance: The body's ability to regulate blood sugar levels effectively
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REFERENCES

Reutrakul, S., & Van Cauter, E. (2018). Sleep influences on obesity, insulin resistance, and risk
of type 2 diabetes. Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental, 84, 56-66.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.metabol.2018.02.010
Van Dijk, D., Balkau, B., Segrestin, B., Gottsäter, M., Gabriel, R., Hatunic, M., Mari, A.,
Dekker, J. M., & Rutters, F. (2019). The association between atherosclerosis and
endothelial dysfunction depends on the type 2 diabetes duration. Diabetes &
Metabolism, 45(2), 153-156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diabet.2018.11.004

Chen, P., Baylin, A., Lee, J., Dunietz, G. L., Cantoral, A., Tellez Rojo, M. M., Peterson, K. E.,
& Jansen, E. C. (2021). Sleep duration trajectories and cardiometabolic risk among
children and adolescents. Sleep Medicine, 77, 257-264.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2020.11.019