Changes in chronotype and social jetlag during adolescence and their association with concurrent changes in BMI-SDS...

Adolescence is a critical period for both the development of overweight and the transition toward a later chronotype, often accompanied by an increase in social jetlag. This study assessed whether changes in chronotype and social jetlag, are linked to changes in body composition during adolescence.

We used data from the DONALD open cohort study, collected between 2014 and 2019, from 213 adolescents (9-17 years at baseline, 45% females) having at least two measures of chronotype and anthropometry (N = 572). Chronotype was assessed with the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire and defined as: midpoint of sleep corrected for sleep-debt (MSFsc) accumulated over the week (later MSFsc represents later chronotype). Social jetlag (SJL) defines the difference between midpoint of sleep during week and weekend. Calculations for Fat Free Mass Index (FFMI [kg/m²)]) and Fat Mass Index (FMI) [kg/m²)]) were based on body fat percentage, weight, and height. To analyze the associations, we used linear mixed-effect regression models. Finally, the total cohort was split into three biologically relevant age groups (cut-off set at <12 years, ≥12 to ≤15 years and >15 years).

Median follow-up was 2.1 years. Overall, change toward a later chronotype was significantly related with an increase in FMI (ß: 0.05, 95% CI: 0.01-0.08). A 1 h increase in social jetlag predicted an increase in BMI-SDS of 0.08 SDS units (95% CI: 0.01-0.14) and in FMI of 0.04 kg/m2 (95% CI: 0.003-0.08). Associations were stronger for the age group ≥12 to ≤15 years (p for interaction: <0.001). No relationship was found with FFMI.

Changes in MSFsc and SJL during adolescence were associated with concurrent changes in BMI-SDS and FMI. The age ≥12 to ≤15 years appears to be a sensitive period in which chronobiological changes were clearly associated with increasing body fatness.