Insulin resistance, the body's inability to recognize normal insulin signals, leads to high blood sugar levels and weight gain and often results in the development of type 2 diabetes. While previous studies have shown a link between diabetes and a lack of sleep, new research shows that frequent waking can also increase the risk of developing the disease. Healthy volunteers who were deprived of slow-wave sleep, the deepest stage of sleep, developed insulin resistance after just three nights. These effects are comparable to a weight gain of 20 to 30 pounds.