- Lack of sleep has been linked to a range of diseases such as diabetes
- Studies suggest sleep deprivation makes us eat more and changes DNA
- New Government campaign will target sleep as part of a range of health problems suffered by the middle-aged
The Government is set to launch a new campaign to encourage the middle-aged to get more sleep over fears their hectic lifestyle is damaging their health.
Multiple studies have shown that a lack of sleep is associated with other problems such as diabetes and heart disease - with the sleep-deprived 12 per cent more likely to die prematurely.
Now Public Health England is planning to encourage adults between the ages of 40 and 60 to spend more time in bed as part of a wide-ranging campaign to boost the nation's health.
The middle-aged will be targeted by a major publicity drive in the Press and online, aiming to help them live more healthy lifestyles and reduce the risk of serious illness.