Association between behavioral jet lag with subjective and objective circadian rhythm among Chinese young adults

Behavioral jet lags (social and eating jet lag), the difference in sleep and eating time between weekdays and weekends, are ubiquitous in modern society. However, evidence on the effects of behavioral jet lags on circadian rhythm is limited.

Social jet lag was assessed using wrist-worn accelerometers. Eating jet lag was measured through Tencent online form with the method of ecological momentary assessment. Total jet lag was calculated as social jet lag plus eating jet lag. Participants were divided into 3 behavioral jet lag patterns: low (both social and eating jet lag < 1h), medium (social or eating jet lag ≥ 1h), and high (both social and eating jet lag ≥ 1h). Subjective and objective circadian rhythm were assessed by reduced Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (rMEQ)-based chronotype and the dim light melatonin onset (DLMO) time in 7 saliva samples, respectively.

The mean age of the sample (n = 140) was 20.7 ± 0.8 years, and 60% were women. Compared to low behavioral jet lag group, medium and high behavioral jet lag group exhibited lower rMEQ score and later DLMO time. Each hour increase in social jet lag was associated with 2.27 point-decrease of rMEQ score, and 24 min-delay of DLMO time; each hour increase in eating jet lag was associated with 1.71 point-decrease of rMEQ score, and 28 min-delay of DLMO time; each hour increase in total jet lag was associated with 1.08 point-decrease of rMEQ score, and 17 min-delay of DLMO time (all P-values <0.05). Additionally, social jet lag explained 6.7% of the variance in the timing of DLMO, which was higher than eating jet lag (4.2%).

Higher behavioral jet lags were significantly associated with increased risk of circadian disruption among young adults. Maintaining consistency in daily behavioral cycles may be an effective intervention for the prevention of circadian disruption.