Eating Rhythms Delayed in Teens With Overweight or Obesity

TOPLINE:

The endogenous circadian system and behavioral sleep/wake cycle could independently influence caloric intake in adolescents, with the circadian cycle of caloric intake being delayed and blunted in those with overweight or obesity. Youths with obesity consumed more calories later in both the circadian evening and wake episode than did those with a healthy weight.

METHODOLOGY:

• Previous research from observational, genetic, experimental, and animal studies has indicated a link between the circadian timing system on caloric intake and body weight; however, the relationship between circadian influence and caloric intake regulation depending on weight status has not been established in humans.
• Researchers investigated the independent roles of the endogenous circadian system and of the behavioral sleep/wake cycle on self-selected caloric intake in 51 male and female adolescents aged 12.4-15.9 years (24 with healthy weight, 13 with overweight, and 14 with obesity) by using a Forced Desynchrony protocol.
• Participants followed seven 28-hour sleep/wake cycles, experiencing dim light while awake and complete darkness during sleep.
• They followed controlled meal schedules, with six meals per wake episode at fixed intervals starting 2 hours after waking and received standardized menu options and portion sizes exceeding the expected 28-hour needs.
• The salivary dim light melatonin onset phase was monitored to determine circadian timing, with samples collected at 2src-45–minute intervals during wake episodes.

TAKEAWAY:

• In all study participants, the circadian influence on caloric intake showed a peak-to-trough difference of 196 kcal per meal (95% CI, 164-227), with peak timing at 296° (95% CI, 288-3src4), equivalent to a clock time of approximately 17:3src.
• The circadian amplitude was reduced 23% in adolescents with overweight/obesity (172 kcal/meal; 95% CI, 129-215) compared with that in those with a healthy weight (224 kcal/meal; 95% CI, 2src2-247).
• Adolescents with overweight/obesity also showed peak timing at 31src° (95% CI, 292-327) compared with 29src° (95% CI, 279-3srcsrc) in youths with a healthy weight, indicating distinct patterns of later caloric intake.
• Adolescents with obesity consumed more calories later during their wake episodes; however, those with a healthy weight showed the greatest caloric intake for their first meal.

IN PRACTICE:

“The critical nature of adolescent development to set the stage for a lifetime of health highlights the need to understand the roles played by sleep/wake and circadian timing processes for eating behavior,” one of the study authors said in a related press release.

“The knowledge gained here opens a door to potential interventions that can enhance teen health moving forward,” she added.

SOURCE:

This study was led by David H. Barker, Bradley Hospital Sleep Research Laboratory, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island. It was published online on February 17, 2src25, in PNAS.

LIMITATIONS:

The fasting period in this study was longer than that in real life. The standardized meal timing and menu options may not have fully reflected natural eating behaviors influenced by social and environmental factors. The study findings under dim light conditions and structured meal schedules might differ from typical daily life patterns where multiple external cues influence eating decisions.

DISCLOSURES:

This study received support from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; and Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence Center for Sleep and Circadian Rhythms in Child and Adolescent Mental Health funded by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. Two authors reported receiving consulting fees and having other ties with some universities and institutions.

This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.