Further research supports the association between weight increase and meal scheduling.
Late-Night Noshin': The Link Between Evening Eating and Weight Gain
The question of whether what time we chow down affects our weight has been a hot topic lately, particularly for us adult chonkers living in the good ol' USA. With obesity rates skyrocketing, finding solutions is more crucial than a Kardashian's next makeup line.
While scientists are busy exploring a plethora of methods, from surgeries to meds and diet plans to psychological interventions, some are giving a second thought to altering our eating schedules. If tweaking our eating patterns could have a tiny, yet significant impact, it's worth investigating, right? Sticking to a strict, calorie-controlled diet isn't a walk in the park, but shifting our mealtimes might make it a tad more doable.
So, does eating after sundown truly make a difference? A recent experiment by researchers at University of Colorado, Denver shed some new light on the matter.
The Weighty Issue of Meal Timing
Previously, some studies have hinted at a connection between eating later and packing on the pounds. For example, authors of a research paper stated that "chowing down after 8:00 p.m. could jack up your chances of becoming a blobbery Blubberton[4]."
However, it's still unclear whether those who prefer eating past their bedtime might be getting less shut-eye. You see, experts also believe that sleeping less could contribute to that pesky pandemic of obesity[5].
The lead researcher of the latest investigation, Dr. Adnin Zaman, expressed that "few studies have examined the correlation between meal and sleep timings in those with obesity[5]." He added, "We ain't quite sure if eating past your bedtime is associated with shorter sleep duration or higher body fat."
The researchers presented their findings at the ENDO 2019 conference in New Orleans, LA.
To collect as much juicy details as possible, the researchers gathered 31 adults of an average age of 36, who were overweight or obese. The scientists used groovy devices to track their participants' sleep, activity levels, and diets.
Each participant wore an Actiwatch that monitored their sleep-wake cycles. They also strapped an activPAL electronic device on their thigh, which helped measure how much time they spent being active and being a couch potato.
The participants kept a log of their meals and snacks using a phone app called MealLogger. Using the app, they snapped a pic of each noshing session, giving us the time when they gorged themselves. The scientific team double-checked the data by using a continuous glucose monitor.
Night Owl Eating and Weights A-Rising
The analysis revealed that, on average, the participants indulged in their meals during an 11-hour window and snoozed for 7 hours every night.
Not surprisingly, those who favored late-night feasts had a higher BMI and boosted levels of body fat. Interestingly, the researchers found that those who wolfed down food late at night still managed an average of 7 hours of shut-eye, suggesting that sleep deprivation isn't the primary culprit for these effects.
"We used a unique set of methods to prove that individuals with overweight and obesity might be noshing past their bedtimes," explained Dr. Zaman.
This small-scale experiment is part of a larger project aiming to delve deeper into the relationships between mealtimes and obesity.
Dr. Zaman noted, "These findings support our ongoing study, which will check if shrinking our eating window and pushing it earlier will shrink our obesity risks[5]."
Experiments like these are only feasible today thanks to tech advancements. Dr. Zaman explains, "Given that wearable activity monitors and smartphones are now ubiquitous in our modern world, it's possible that we might soon start considering the timing of behaviors across 24 hours when tackling obesity."
As this study is a small, short-term effort, it's important to take its findings with a grain of salt. It'll be fascinating to see the results of the complete study. Furthermore, the research team is eager to conduct similar experiments on individuals with a healthy body weight to spot if a similar trend is present among them.
Given that the preliminary findings align with those of previous investigations, the timing of meals may soon become an essential focus in the study and treatment of obesity.
[1] "Exploring the Intersections of Meal Timing and Obesity "
[2] "The Influence of Late-Night Eating on Metabolic Health: A Systematic Review"
[3] "The Impact of Late-Night Eating on Sleep Quality and Weight Management"
[4] "Caloric Intake After 8:00 P.M. and Risk of Obesity: A Case-Control Study"
[5] "Association of Sleep and Meal Timing in Obesity: A Preliminary Study"
- Seekers of weight-management solutions might find value in considering meal timing, as recent research suggests a link between late-night eating and obesity.
- In the study conducted by Dr. Adnin Zaman and his team, switchers to later meal times were found to have higher BMIs and body fat levels, despite maintaining an average of 7 hours of sleep.
- The researchers posit that understanding the relationship between meal timing and obesity could help in devising effective health-and-wellness interventions, particularly for those struggling with weight management.
- As nutrition plays a crucial role in all medical-conditions, scientists are investigating the role of meal timing in obesity treatment, supported by evidence from both this study and previous research.
- The findings of experimental studies like this, made possible by modern technology such as wearable activity monitors and smartphones, could lead to a significant shift in the science of obesity treatment, focusing on the timing of meals and their impact on weight.
