Relationship between a late chronotype and the risk of metabolic disorders

The study involved 373 participants aged 12 to 23. The researchers monitored sleep patterns using actigraphs and laboratory tests, while also recording the participants’ diets and physical activity. The analysis revealed that adolescents who fell asleep after midnight and woke up after 8:00 a.m. were more likely to consume excessive amounts of calories, particularly from carbohydrates. This was due to their late wake-up times, which often led to skipping breakfast, resulting in a shift in their daily meal patterns towards evening and nighttime meals.

The body’s biological clock regulates not only the need for rest, but also metabolism. Disruption of natural circadian rhythms provokes an increase in hunger and cravings for less healthy food. Researchers have recorded that with a late sleep regime, teenagers lead a more sedentary lifestyle, spending less energy during the day.

The authors paid special attention to the influence of the school schedule. It was found that during the study period, the negative relationship between sleep time and the quality of nutrition is twice as strong as during the holidays. This is due to the forced conflict between a teenager’s natural rhythms and the external schedule of activities. When students try to adapt to an early wake-up time while staying up late, it leads to a destabilization of their eating habits.

To minimize the risks of developing cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, scientists recommend that parents and guardians focus on maintaining a stable sleep schedule. The key preventive measures include controlling the regularity of waking up times and limiting nighttime eating.