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Delaying mealtimes reduces fat oxidation: A randomized, crossover, controlled feeding study
Thomas J Carabuena1, Hedda L Boege2, Mehreen Z Bhatti2
1Institute of Human Nutrition, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA.
Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.)
|October 14, 2022
Summary
Circadian misalignment from delayed mealtimes shifts nutrient metabolism. This shift favors carbohydrate oxidation and reduces fat oxidation, impacting energy expenditure and substrate utilization.
Area of Science:
- Metabolic research
- Chronobiology
- Nutritional science
Background:
- Circadian misalignment (CM) can disrupt metabolic processes.
- Previous studies often confounded CM with sleep or eating schedule changes.
- Understanding CM's independent metabolic effects is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the independent effects of CM on energy expenditure (EE), respiratory quotient (RQ), and substrate oxidation.
- To isolate the impact of delayed mealtimes on metabolic parameters, controlling for sleep and eating window duration.
Main Methods:
- A randomized crossover study involving healthy adults (20-49 years).
- Controlled feeding conditions with identical eating window durations but delayed mealtimes for CM.
- Measurement of EE, RQ, and substrate oxidation in a metabolic chamber over 23 hours.
Main Results:
- Twenty-four-hour EE did not significantly differ between circadian alignment (CA) and CM conditions.
- Post-meal RQ was higher in CM, indicating increased carbohydrate oxidation.
- Fat oxidation was lower in the CM condition, particularly after dinner.
Conclusions:
- Delayed mealtimes, independent of sleep and eating window duration, induce CM.
- CM shifts nutrient metabolism towards increased carbohydrate and decreased fat oxidation.
- These findings highlight the metabolic consequences of eating schedule disruptions.
