Right now, roughly 21 million people are living with type 2 diabetes. With serious long-term complications like cardiovascular disease, chronic renal failure, retinal damage (which can lead to blindness),

The mysteries of the night have been fodder for fiction writers, storytellers, and myth-makers for centuries. But in the past few decades, scientists have turned their attention to the midnight hour in an attempt to understand two rare disorders that affect eating habits and sleep patterns.

NIGHT EATING SYNDROME

Since the passage of the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990, labels titled "Nutrition Facts" have been required to appear on a majority of packaged food sold in the United States. One of the most important parts of being a healthy shopper is reading and understanding the information provided on these labels.

The following is a section-by-section look at the information included on the nutrition label, along with tips on how to apply these facts to your dietary plan.

SERVING SIZE

Overweight adults who experience excessive fatigue may not be tiring out simply because of the extra weight they are carrying around. Several studies have linked obesity with abnormal sleep patterns and disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea.

Though researchers have yet to determine causality (does the extra weight cause the poor sleep patterns, or vice versa?), there is an abundance of evidence pointing to the fact that overweight adults are disproportionately exposed to the health risks associated with getting abnormal amounts of sleep.