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

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.

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.

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.

A standard form was used to extract study design, country, number of participants, method of chronotype determination, and main findings.

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.

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.

PROSPERO registration no. CRD42021256078.