Chronotype-specific associations of meal timing patterns with cardiometabolic health in women: a cross-sectional study
Abstract Background Although prior studies have examined meal timing and health, few have considered the impact of individual chronotypes and diurnal preference. This study explored how meal distribution and chronotype—morning (M-type) versus evening (E-type)— are associated with cardiometabolic hea...
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BMC
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Nutrition & Metabolism |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12986-025-00985-2 |
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| author | Azadeh Lesani Neda Soveid Cain C. T. Clark Bahar Barkhidarian Fatemeh Gholami Mansooreh Sadat Mojani-Qomi |
| author_facet | Azadeh Lesani Neda Soveid Cain C. T. Clark Bahar Barkhidarian Fatemeh Gholami Mansooreh Sadat Mojani-Qomi |
| author_sort | Azadeh Lesani |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Although prior studies have examined meal timing and health, few have considered the impact of individual chronotypes and diurnal preference. This study explored how meal distribution and chronotype—morning (M-type) versus evening (E-type)— are associated with cardiometabolic health. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 574 women in Tehran, Iran. Dietary intake was assessed through three 24-hour recalls and chronotype was determined via the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire. Cardiometabolic markers—including blood pressure (BP), glucose, lipids, insulin, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)—were measured. Results In E-type individuals, higher breakfast energy intake was linearly associated with lower systolic [β 95% CI, -0.03 (-0.05 to -0.01)] and diastolic BP [-0.01 (-0.04 to -0.003)]. Afternoon energy intake was associated with lower BMI [-0.02 (-0.04 to -0.001)] and hs-CRP [-0.001 (-0.002 to -0.0006)] in E-type women. Additionally, U-shaped associations were found between breakfast intake and systolic BP (turning point: 23% of total energy intake (TEI)), and between afternoon intake and BMI (13% TEI) and hs-CRP (12% TEI). In contrast, higher dinner energy intake was linearly associated with greater BMI in the intermediate [-0.01 (-0.02 to -0.002)] and E-type group [0.05 (0.003 to 0.09)], respectively. Eating window was associated with higher fasting blood glucose [0.001 (0.002 to 0.003)] in E-type vs. M-type individuals. Conclusion Aligning energy intake with wake-up time—rather than delaying meals—may benefit evening chronotypes prone to circadian misalignment. Moderate breakfast and afternoon intake, with lower dinner intake, was related to better cardiometabolic health. Accordingly, longitudinal studies are advocated. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4b577d7cf37f4c8b90b189d3ebd2745c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1743-7075 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | Nutrition & Metabolism |
| spelling | doaj-art-4b577d7cf37f4c8b90b189d3ebd2745c2025-08-20T04:01:53ZengBMCNutrition & Metabolism1743-70752025-08-0122111810.1186/s12986-025-00985-2Chronotype-specific associations of meal timing patterns with cardiometabolic health in women: a cross-sectional studyAzadeh Lesani0Neda Soveid1Cain C. T. Clark2Bahar Barkhidarian3Fatemeh Gholami4Mansooreh Sadat Mojani-Qomi5Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS)Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS)Faculty of Health, Education, and Life Sciences, City South Campus, Birmingham City UniversityDepartment of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS)Cardiovascular Research Center, Hormozgan University of Medical ScienceDepartment of Food Science and Technology, TeMS.C., Islamic Azad UniversityAbstract Background Although prior studies have examined meal timing and health, few have considered the impact of individual chronotypes and diurnal preference. This study explored how meal distribution and chronotype—morning (M-type) versus evening (E-type)— are associated with cardiometabolic health. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 574 women in Tehran, Iran. Dietary intake was assessed through three 24-hour recalls and chronotype was determined via the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire. Cardiometabolic markers—including blood pressure (BP), glucose, lipids, insulin, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)—were measured. Results In E-type individuals, higher breakfast energy intake was linearly associated with lower systolic [β 95% CI, -0.03 (-0.05 to -0.01)] and diastolic BP [-0.01 (-0.04 to -0.003)]. Afternoon energy intake was associated with lower BMI [-0.02 (-0.04 to -0.001)] and hs-CRP [-0.001 (-0.002 to -0.0006)] in E-type women. Additionally, U-shaped associations were found between breakfast intake and systolic BP (turning point: 23% of total energy intake (TEI)), and between afternoon intake and BMI (13% TEI) and hs-CRP (12% TEI). In contrast, higher dinner energy intake was linearly associated with greater BMI in the intermediate [-0.01 (-0.02 to -0.002)] and E-type group [0.05 (0.003 to 0.09)], respectively. Eating window was associated with higher fasting blood glucose [0.001 (0.002 to 0.003)] in E-type vs. M-type individuals. Conclusion Aligning energy intake with wake-up time—rather than delaying meals—may benefit evening chronotypes prone to circadian misalignment. Moderate breakfast and afternoon intake, with lower dinner intake, was related to better cardiometabolic health. Accordingly, longitudinal studies are advocated.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12986-025-00985-2ChronotypeMealtimeCircadian misalignmentDiurnal preferenceObesityCardiometabolic risk factor |
| spellingShingle | Azadeh Lesani Neda Soveid Cain C. T. Clark Bahar Barkhidarian Fatemeh Gholami Mansooreh Sadat Mojani-Qomi Chronotype-specific associations of meal timing patterns with cardiometabolic health in women: a cross-sectional study Nutrition & Metabolism Chronotype Mealtime Circadian misalignment Diurnal preference Obesity Cardiometabolic risk factor |
| title | Chronotype-specific associations of meal timing patterns with cardiometabolic health in women: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full | Chronotype-specific associations of meal timing patterns with cardiometabolic health in women: a cross-sectional study |
| title_fullStr | Chronotype-specific associations of meal timing patterns with cardiometabolic health in women: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Chronotype-specific associations of meal timing patterns with cardiometabolic health in women: a cross-sectional study |
| title_short | Chronotype-specific associations of meal timing patterns with cardiometabolic health in women: a cross-sectional study |
| title_sort | chronotype specific associations of meal timing patterns with cardiometabolic health in women a cross sectional study |
| topic | Chronotype Mealtime Circadian misalignment Diurnal preference Obesity Cardiometabolic risk factor |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12986-025-00985-2 |
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