Role of chronotype in dietary intake, meal timing, and obesity: a systematic review

Abstract

Context Recent studies show that dietary habits and obesity seem to be influenced by chronotype, which reflects an individual’s preference for the timing of sleeping, eating, and activity in a 24-hour period. Objective This review aimed to analyze the association of chronotype with dietary habits, namely energy and macronutrient intakes, meal timing, and eating patterns, as well as with obesity. Data Sources PubMed/MEDLINE, LILACS, and Google Scholar databases were searched between 2004 and 2020. Study selection was performed by 2 authors independently; disagreements on eligibility of articles were resolved by a third author. After assessment of 12 060 abstracts, 43 studies (21 articles on obesity; 13 on food consumption, meal timing, and eating patterns; and 9 that addressed both obesity and dietary behavior) were included. Data Extraction A standard form was used to extract study design, country, number of participants, method of chronotype determination, and main findings. Data Analysis Approximately 95% of included studies showed an association between eveningness and at least 1 unhealthy eating habit. Morningness was associated with regular consumption of fresh and minimally processed foods. In addition, about 47% of studies showed a higher association between late types and obesity. Conclusion Late types are more likely to present unhealthy eating habits, such as eating late at night, skipping breakfast often, and eating processed/ultraprocessed foods, while early types are more likely to have healthy and protective habits, such as eating early and eating predominantly fresh/minimally processed foods. Intermediate types tend to have a pattern of health and eating more similar to early types than to late types. Late types are also more likely to present higher weight and body mass index than early or intermediate types. Systematic Review Registration PROSPERO registration no. CRD42021256078.

The association of meal-specific food-based dietary inflammatory index with cardiovascular risk factors and inflammation in a sample of Iranian adults

“…In some evidence, the duration of sleep may be associated with the risk of CVD outcomes, and long sleep was correlated with systemic inflammation [ 60 , 61 ]. In addition, late eating, which is closely associated with MEQ scores, affects the pattern of dietary intake such as low breakfast consumption rate and eating of unhealthy foods with pro-inflammatory effects, in advance leading to CVD [ 62 ]. Despite all strengths, some limitations should also be addressed.…”

The association between metabolic parameters and evening chronotype and social jetlag in non-shift workers: A meta-analysis

“…In our meta-analysis, the association between evening chronotype and higher fasting glucose level, higher total cholesterol level and lower HDL-c level was in accordance with the previous studies and further supported the relationship between chronotype and MetS The mechanism of the association between late chronotype and obesity or MetS was partly due to some health-related behaviors. It was revealed that adults with evening chronotype were prone to unhealthy eating habits (5). Data from the UK Biobank project demonstrated that adults with evening chronotype consumed less fruit and vegetables than morning chronotype (44).…”

“…The mechanism of the association between late chronotype and obesity or MetS was partly due to some health-related behaviors. It was revealed that adults with evening chronotype were prone to unhealthy eating habits ( 5 ). Data from the UK Biobank project demonstrated that adults with evening chronotype consumed less fruit and vegetables than morning chronotype ( 44 ).…”

“…In healthy adults, it was reported that in-laboratory induced circadian misalignment resulted in elevated glucose levels, insulin resistance and increased systemic inflammation ( 3 ). Epidemiology studies indicated that people with a late chronotype and short sleep duration were prone to have harmful lifestyle such as sedentary behavior and unhealthy nutrition ( 4 , 5 ). As a demonstrative example of circadian misalignment, shift work was associated with increased risk of obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) ( 6 , 7 ).…”

Prediction of Dropout in a Randomized Controlled Trial of Adjunctive Light Treatment in Patients with Non-Seasonal Depression and Evening Chronotype

“…The 20% rate for our study is slightly higher than those of other randomized controlled trials that focused on adult patients with non-seasonal MDD in the out-patient setting, which reported 9 and 13%, respectively [ 6 , 7 ]. This could be attributable to an exclusive evening-type sample characterized by more sedentary activity and less moderate-to-vigorous physical activity [ 28 ], unhealthy eating habits [ 29 ], lower self-control [ 13 ], and an overall more irregular lifestyle [ 14 ], hence greater difficulty in engaging in treatment. This suggests that for this particular group of patients, better strategies should be developed to reduce dropout and enhance treatment adherence.…”